New trailer homes donated to Indio families left only with ashes after devastating fire
Help is on the way for families who lost their homes and belongings when in a fire in the Pueblo del Sol community on Wednesday.
The 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians is purchasing all brand new trailer homes for the families, Indio Mayor Glenn Miller shared exclusively with News Channel 3.
A gift from God… that’s all Monica Tessandore could say to rationalize the news that she and her family will have a home again.
“I’ve gone through anger, frustration, sadness, heartbroken… every emotion that you can come up with from losing your home, your entire… things you’ve worked so hard for. Just having a home for the kids to come home and play. For me to come home from work and cook and clean, you know, do everything I can do for them as a mother. In the blink of an eye it was all taken from us,” she said.
Tessandore was stopping by to survey the damage left behind by the devastating fire at the Pueblo del Sol community, destroying three families’ homes and all their belongings. Indio Mayor Glenn Miller was there to deliver Life-changing news.
“Chairman Darrell Mike from the 29Palms Band of Mission Indians and the tribe and the tribal council will be purchasing all three of the mobile homes for these families, free of charge and installing them as quick as possible, he already looked at them in Thermal,” said Mayor Miller.
“That hope is coming back… I didn’t think it would be possible to get that hope back,” said Tessandore.
Two of the three families did not have insurance to cover the damage. Mayor Miller said the money given by the American Red Cross is not enough to cover all expenses, which is why the community’s support is so important.
“The community is amazing, it always has been. Whenever anything happens here in the city of Indio, we rally. Residents, businesses, we come together any time there’s adversity,” Mayor Miller said.
“If you have it, give it. This is just a big eye opener. If you have it, give it. You have no idea how this helps somebody out. If it’s just socks… if it’s one shirt. Anything, just give it,” Tessandore said.
The city of Indio and Desert Sands Unified School District are also encouraging the community to show support to three families who lost everything in a mobile home park fire this week.
DSUSD is accepting donated items and gift cards at Indio High School or Summit High School. Items are needed for both men and women, adults and children - including, but not limited to, clothing and school supplies.
Five adults and five children in the Pueblo Del Sol community lost everything they've ever owned Wednesday as the fire ripped through their homes.
Tessandore's daughter also organized a GoFundMe page to collect donations.
"We lost everything," said Roberto Valdez, speaking in Spanish. "The two cars, the work tools. We've only got the clothes we're wearing. I don't even have socks; I don't have anything."
