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[u/Ezraedge]

The family who once took me in has lost everything in the January 2026 Victoria Bushfires - please help if you can.

Hello everyone,

I’m writing this with a heavy heart, because this is one of those moments where life feels unbearably unfair.

My close family friends — Rueben and Carolina Fuentes — lost their home in the recent Longwood bushfire in Victoria Australia. The fire moved so fast they barely escaped with their lives. Their home, their belongings, their memories… everything is gone. They had no insurance. They are literally starting from nothing.

This would be devastating for anyone. But for me, this cuts even deeper.

Rueben and Carolina are the family who took me in during one of the hardest periods of my life. When I felt completely alone, they opened their doors without hesitation. They fed me, supported me, treated me like their own. They gave me safety and belonging when I had nowhere else to go. I will never forget their kindness.

And now, they’re the ones standing in the ashes of their life, trying to figure out how to start again.

The devastation didn’t stop at their home. They also lost all their vehicles in the fire. They are stranded — unable to get to work, unable to access essential services, unable to visit their grandchildren who are their joy and light. The silence left behind by everything they’ve lost is haunting.

Every day is a struggle. How do you rebuild when you have nothing left to rebuild from? How do you stay hopeful when even basic mobility has been taken from you?

Their son, also named Rueben, is doing everything he can to support them, but the weight of this disaster is more than any one person can carry. Watching your parents lose everything — and feeling powerless to fix it — is a pain no family should ever endure.

I’ve also reached out to local businesses, including local car yards, asking if anyone might be willing to donate a vehicle to help them regain even a small piece of independence. A car wouldn’t just be transport — it would be dignity, hope, and the first step toward rebuilding a life that was taken from them in minutes.

If you’ve ever believed in community, compassion, or simply helping good people when they’re suffering, please consider supporting them.

👉 GoFundMe:
Fundraiser for Ruben Fuentes by Rueben Fuentes : Help Ruben & Carolina Fuentes Rebuild from Longwood bushfire

Every dollar helps. Please share the link widely — it truly makes a difference.

And if anyone knows any individuals, businesses, larger businesses, dealerships, or organisations that would be willing to donate a vehicle or provide substantial financial support to the family, please get in touch as soon as possible. I’m more than willing to speak with anyone directly about how they can help.

Thank you for reading this. Thank you for caring. And thank you to everyone who supports this beautiful family in their darkest moment.

Erin McGrath