The headlines read - 'It's a miracle' - Family saved from fire (Grand Rapids Press, 10/18/02). But what happens two or three months later, when a Spanish-speaking family's life is still disrupted and the holidays look bleak for everyone, especially the children. In Grand Rapids, that's when the local HUD office and several other agencies stepped up to make a difference.

It happened a short time after midnight, October 18, 2002. Silvestre Tapia and his wife were awakened by their children's cries. The 3 girls and 3 boys awakened to see flames and smoke billowing up the stairwell. They were scared and struggling to breathe. The 36-year-old father raced frantically through the flames and smoke of their home to save his trapped children. He somehow made his way though the blackness and rescued his children, but sprained his ankle and broke his leg. When all was over, the six children, three nephews and nieces who had slept downstairs, and mom and dad were safe.

Mr. Tapia was hospitalized for a short time with for his broken leg and several cuts from broken glass as a result of his heroic efforts. But the injuries cost Mr. Tapia, who works for a local construction company, his livelihood. The family's belongings on the second floor had been destroyed and the rest of the house was severely damaged by smoke and water. Although they had some insurance, the extensive repairs displaced the family until the projected completion date of late January 2003. The family - with nine children, ages 4 through 17, and two adults - moved to a 2-bedroom apartment.

Monica Izenbart of the Federal Public Defenders office; Pat Veenendal of the Grand Rapids HUD office; and Pauline Sandoval of the Department of Labor with gifts contributed by HUD and a variety of Western Michigan federal agency workers. The family also received furniture and a $200 gift certificate.

As the Christmas holiday season approached, the Grand Rapids HUD office began looking for a family to sponsor, as they have every year through United Way of West Michigan. Having read about the losses incurred by the Tapia family, impressed by the father's heroism and the family's love for each other, the employees were anxious to help the Tapias. Pauline Sandoval of the Department of Labor, who is fluent in Spanish, spoke to the Tapias about their needs and provided assistance with communications.

The HUD office, the Department of Labor, and the Federal Public Defenders office generously brought in gifts for each and every member of the family. The gifts included toys, clothes, as well as a $200 certificate for a local food store and a department store. In addition, high quality used household items, such as a couch, table & chairs, dishes, blankets, and clothing for the family were collected and delivered to the family. Arch Paging, a company located next door to the HUD office, also joined in on this effort.

The gifts were delivered to the family on December 16th, filling nearly all the living room space with Christmas cheer, warmth in the hearts of the givers and smiles on the faces of the Tapia family.