Caroll Zambrano

To all Ada-Merritt K-8 Family & friends I'd like to share the story of Caroll Zambrano, mother of 3, Andre Barrientos (9), Giovanni Barrientos (12), and Nathalie Thompson (20). "On Friday March 8, my kids went to their school festival called Festa Junina and my oldest daughter was there with them. I went to pick them up around 5pm from Hollywood. We live in Hollywood, FL because rent in Miami is too expensive and the school they go to is a good magnet school, so it’s a sacrifice I do for them. After picking them up, the traffic was hectic so we took more then an hour to get home. At the same time the fire was happening in our tiny 1 bedroom apartment. I was almost home when suddenly the manager calls me to let me know that my apartment is burned down inside. During the fire, my neighbors thought that my kids were inside because usually they would be home after school at the time that it happened. When we arrived, the firemen were there and they had already stopped the fire. Our living room couch, printer, and internet router was completely burned and everything was covered in ash (even my children's room). I was only allowed to go inside for a few minutes and get some belongings because the smoke was too toxic to stay for long. It is up to the landlord to allow us to go back in and get the rest of my belongings. As of now my children don’t have their uniforms or school supplies, no furniture, no clothes/ shoes, and no home. If you can understand my situation, it is hard for a single mother to get all those things back. I would appreciate any assistance that you might offer." It is with the help of school administration and the PTA that we come together to help this family in need. Any items Caroll has mentioned above can be left in the main office as is central for her to pick up. Larger items that cannot be accommodate in the main office can be coordinate once Caroll has a residence. For now please email the PTA at [email redacted] to coordinate pick-up/delivery. Any monetary donations can be sent via this Go Fund Me. We appreciate your support in coming together to assist this family as they overcome this obstacle. We would also like to note the Ibiley and Zolut have begun assisting in the form uniforms and school supplies. Please note that this fundraiser was started by Jennifer LaCasse, PTA President for Ada-Merritt K-8 Center, a school where 2 of Mrs. Zambrano's children attend. Ms. LaCasse will be withdrawing funds to give via cash or cashier's check to Mrs. Zambrano.