Aid sought for families displaced in Yuma mobile home park fire
Families that lost their homes and belongings in a fire in a Yuma mobile home park are getting help to get back on their feet from organizations, businesses and residents in Yuma and San Luis, Ariz.
The goal is to collect enough in donations to help the families move back to the park at 2002 W. 8th St. where their mobile homes were destroyed in the fire on the night of April 19, said Maria Robles, head of Somos, a San Luis-based organization that is helping in the relief effort.
Two mobile homes have been donated for displaced families, while two more will be purchased with donations given by area businesses and individuals, Robles said, but more mobile homes with two bedrooms for larger families are still needed, she said.
Among the victims of the fire was Griselda Chavez, who said she and others in the park who lost their homes are counting on people “of good heart” for help.
“I’m staying with my daughter in her apartment, but some (of the victims) are sleeping in their cars or outside. We are all struggling. All the families are left with nothing. I and my daughter got out with nothing more than we were wearing.”
Gilberto Zarate and his wife, Mary, are among San Luis residents who have joined efforts to collect financial and other donations to help the families.
Even after they have replacement mobile homes, the families will face the challenge of furnishing them and restoring other belongings lost in the fire.
“There needs to be a fund for them to buy clothing and whatever else they need to live in the trailers, because the money they have is all going for food.”
The Mexican Consulate in Yuma has donated $2,400 to help the families get back on their feet.
Agricultural companies such as Ag West and Campo Harvesting have also provided assistance to the families, as has Mr. Mango, a Yuma eatery located near the scene of the fire. Comite de Bien Estar, a non-profit housing organization in San Luis, has also provided aid.
In all 11 families were displaced in the fire, the cause of which remains under investigation.
A GoFundMe page has been started to help the families, at www.gofundme. com/f/8th-st-fire-victims.
For more information about helping the families, people can call Robles at (928) 285-3193.