Community comes together to help fire victim

Tony Garcia said he’s lucky to be alive.
” I was about to sleep within 30 minutes before the fire started. So if my neighbor didn’t tell me about the fire I probably would have been a goner. ”

Garcia is one of the many residents who lost everything in the fire at the Manchester Trailer Park on Thursday.

” I didn’t even think about taking anything. So I like…you know what just got out as fast as I could. But unfortunately, I lost everything. ”

Something Garcia held dear to him was a Playstation 4 that helped him cope with his anxiety as he was going through remission from cancer.

” It makes my mind feel at ease. ”

Garcia was renting the console from a local Aaron’s store. He knew he was unable to replace the item but Yuma resident, Joe Teposte came to his aid.

” I told them the story what was going on about the fire. About Tony’s situation. And they outright just wrote it off. So he doesn’t have to worry about that bill. After that I decided you know what I want to get him a gaming system and it took I’m talking about hours, ” said Teposte .

1 Up Gaming Lounge owner, Jesus Mendivil also lent a helping hand.

” Him without a gaming console. That’s life. You know that’s what we do nowadays. We play video games. So if he’s not able to play video games then he needs that. We need to give that. We have plenty of stations we can donate some. It’s not a problem for us, ” said Mendivil .

The group surprised Garcia with a gaming system and television as well as new clothes.

Garcia said about the suprise , ” You know it made me realize that there are good people here. So it’s nice knowing that the people of Yuma are willing to help you out in a time of need. ”

Mendivil also offered Garcia a 3-month free membership at the 1-Up Gaming Lounge so that he can play with other gamers in the community.