Local group of Jeep lovers lends helping hand for south side fire victims
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- For the first time, a family member of 27-year-old Maria Castillo-Cortez and her 16-month-old, who lost their lives in a fire on Milwaukee's south side April 12, is speaking out. A local group made up of Jeep enthusiasts is stepping in to help those affected by the fire.
"With the loss of my sister, it feels like someone took a piece of my heart," said the sister of Cortez, who did not want to be named.
A loss that cannot be put into words, says Cortez's sister. She lost her sister and her niece, 16-month-old Maria Chavez-Castillo, last week during a fire near 19th and Burnham Street. The fire destroyed three homes and damaged another.
The group called JeePresent MKE will be collecting goods for the families who've been affected by the fire at the parking lot near the Walmart on 27th Street this Saturday, April 22.
"We would like to come together with the community to see if everybody could help and bring in some clothing, Pampers, diapers," said group founder Luis Millan Seda.
Millan Seda said the JeePresent MKE group shows off their cars at car shows but also finds time to help those in need.
"We like to help out in the community due to the simple fact that a couple of our families' members went through the same thing and that at times, people came and gave us a lending hand," said Millan Seda.
They will be hosting a drive for those families affected on Saturday, April 22 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. near the Walmart at 3355 S. 27th Street.
There is also a GoFundMe set up by the family. You can find it here.