Adopt-A-Family for the Holidays 2007

Meet the Arredondo Family

Left to right: Aide, Alejandra, Aide, Fernando, Fabian, Fernando

Renee and Jan met with the Arredondo family on Saturday, December 01, 2007 to let them know that they were chosen by the Sol Sisters motorcycle club as their Adopt-A-Family for the Holidays 2007.

We decided to adopt a family that became a victim of the recent October wildfires raging across San Diego County. They lived at a mobile home park in Dulzura. Most of the mobile home park was destroyed. They had no homeowners or fire insurance. Read about our ride out to the Dulzura burn area here.

Fernando (45) works full-time as a Project Engineer for a local manufacturing company and his wife Aide (40), is a stay-at-home mom. They have four (4) children: Aide (16), Alejandra (14), Fernando (8) and Fabian (5).

This is their story and we were given permission to publish it.

On Sunday, October 21st, mid-morning, Aide was watching classic movies, while her five year old niece (living with them) and five year old son were playing. Her husband Fernando and the other kids were at church. Aide received a phone call from one of her friend’s daughter, who told her that she needed to get out of there now because the fires were coming. Aide didn’t believe her because she didn’t smell any smoke or see any fires only that it was very windy that day.

There was a knock at the door and the girl who called was in hysterics pleading with Aide to get the kids and get out. She had no time to gather anything but Aide asked her to please give her just a couple of minutes so she could get the mobile home papers and everyone’s passports.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t get any of her own things such as her passport, naturalization certificate, driver’s license, etc. She didn’t have any time to get clothes, family photos, etc. She ran out of there in her pajamas and slippers and new tennis shoes in hand.

They got into the girl’s car and drove up towards Campo Road and Aide asked the girl to pull over. They looked back and saw the fire coming down the mountainside. They headed to the church to meet up with Fernando and the other kids.

At first, Fernando did not believe Aide and thought she was joking. She said, “Look, I’m in my pajamas and slippers! I’m not joking.” They tried to go back to their home but were turned away. They went to Steele Canyon High School which was turned into an evacuation shelter. They stayed at the shelter for one week until it closed.

On Tuesday, October 23rd, a friend showed them photos of the burnt out mobile home park. They knew then that they had lost their home of five years and Fernando had lost his Toyota 4-Runner along with all their other possessions. (this is a pic of their home that burned.)

After the Steele Canyon High School shelter closed, the Red Cross provided them with a 5-day voucher to the Ramada Inn on Bonita Road off the 805 freeway. Fernando said the hotel manager wasn’t going to let him stay there because there were seven of them. They were only given one room with two queen beds. After their five days were up, the Red Cross said they could get another 3-day voucher to stay there but fortunately, a manager at the Tijuana plant for Fernando’s company said they could stay at his house in Otay until the end of December. The manager had to foreclose on his home because of the current housing crisis, he fell victim to. They had to send their five year old niece back with her mother in Tijuana because they could no longer afford to keep her here in San Diego.

The Arredondo’s have been at their temporary housing since the beginning of November and will need to find another place before the new year.

Another co-worker of Fernando’s told him that if he could fix the Volvo and get it smogged, he could have the car…FREE! That is exactly what he did.

Currently, Fernando drives his kids out to school in Jamul every morning from Otay and Aide picks them up.

We interviewed each of the children and parents and asked them what they wanted.

Their eldest son Fernando said, that he wanted a couch, TV, microwave, a home for his family. How selfless of him. Their eldest daughter Aide said she wished she had her photos from her Quinceañera and a porcelain doll she got as a gift, which is a tradition.

Aide (the mom) just became a naturalized citizen back in May of this year. She said at least she would be able to get a new certificate. She only wants a microwave.

Unfortunately for Fernando, he lost his Engineering degree from Mexico and they will not issue him a new one. He said that he plans to get the copy of his diploma on file at work notarized, if possible. He wants tools and nice dress work shoes. He’s a big Padres fan.

They have received a check from FEMA and now Fernando and Aide have to make a decision of whether they want to rebuild back at the mobile home park or look elsewhere. They want to live close to the children’s schools but unfortunately, it’s extremely expensive out in Jamul, where they attend Jamul Primary and Steele Canyon High School. They don’t think it’s in their best interest to rebuild back at the mobile home park because they have had to deal with the fire situation three years out of the five that they have lived there.

We got information on everyone’s shoe, pants and shirt sizes, asked about their hobbies and interests.

The house is empty since the owner has lost it due to foreclosure, so the Arredondo’s make due with a plastic folding table and folding chairs Fernando borrowed from work. Their sofa consists of two sofa cushions and three back pillows. There is a small fake Christmas tree next to the fireplace with 2 ornaments.

They allowed us to take a family photo and asked if they could get a copy. As Aide put it, “We will make new memories.” Yes, they will.

The Arredondo's are a very humble and grateful family. Their kids are so sweet and personable. Fabian kept making us laugh.

The Sol Sisters will do what we can to provide them with a special Christmas this year.

If you would like to help the Arredondo family get back on their feet, please donate.

Disclosure: Donations are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.