Businesses, volunteers aid family fire victims

Local businesses are coming to the aid of Olga Navarette, whose home was destroyed by fire Tuesday.

Early Saturday morning, volunteers gathered at 420 S. 13th Ave. to begin cleanup of the remains of the house.

“It’s just awesome that so many people are willing to donate time, materials and money to help out this poor woman and her family,” said Rita Megui, customer service representative of Sun Country Restoration and the driving force behind the volunteer effort.

“First we have to get this site cleaned up and disposed of before they can begin construction of a new house,” Megui said. “Allied Waste donated the roll of boxes necessary for the demolition of the house and once we have the site clean and ready for construction, Southwest Progressive Framing is going to build them a new house.”

“We’d like to get all the permits in place and pour a slab for the house within two weeks,” said Brian Schroeder of Southwest Progressive Framing. “All of the lumber and trusses are being donated by 84 Lumber and we’re hoping to get an account set up with AEA Credit Union so that people can donate money to help out the family.”

The family has been staying in a motel courtesy of the local Red Cross, but they will have a month’s worth of accommodations through the Monte Sinai Church of Somerton until their new home is completed.

“We’ve managed to salvage some of the pictures and photo albums,” said Christina Salinas, project manager for Sun County Restoration. “They referred to them as their memories.

"The other great thing is how eager the neighbors have been to help out with the cleanup efforts. They’re really terrific in this neighborhood.”

“It’s incredible the way this community pulls together in times of disaster,” said Megui. “The young daughter, Maura, works a nighttime job and she lost her glasses and car keys in the fire. Nichols Lock and Key came right out and made up a new set of car keys for her and Corona Optique made her a new set of glasses.

“I’m not normally involved at this ground level,” Megui continued. “This is the first time I get to be here and see the actual level of work these people are putting in as volunteers.

"We have a bunch of guys from the Yuma Fire Department who are helping with the cleanup, and the neighbors were eager to start work yesterday but we didn’t even have the permits in place yet. Yuma is famous for being a hot place, so maybe that has something to do with why the people here have such warm hearts.”