Fund the First | Helping a Hero Rebuild: Support Needed After Devastating House Fire

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Law Enforcement

Helping a Hero Rebuild: Support Needed After Devastating House Fire

Law Enforcement

Catastrophic Loss

Florida

Created June 2nd, 2025

In the early morning hours of Monday, June 2, 2025, tragedy struck one of our own. A dedicated 19-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, Police Complaint Officer (911 Call Taker) Jennifer Pais, received a call no parent ever wants to hear. While she was working her midnight shift, a devastating house fire broke out at her residence, with her husband and three children asleep inside. A frantic call from her daughter to her cell phone alerted her of the emergency. Miraculously, they all escaped with their lives—but not without heartbreak. The family lost their home, every cherished possession, and their beloved pet bunny, who did not survive.

This unimaginable loss has left them with nothing but the clothes on their backs. All the memories, keepsakes, and stability that once filled their home have vanished in an instant. As they begin the painful process of rebuilding their lives—especially for two toddlers who are too young to comprehend the trauma they've endured— we are reaching out to our extended law enforcement and public service family. Any assistance, no matter how small, will go directly to helping this family recover from this life-altering event. Let’s come together and support one of our own in their time of greatest need.

Thank you!

Updates

June 9th, 2025

ALI RIAZ, Organizer

A message from the Pais family:

Dear Families, Friends & extended family at MDSO Communications Bureau, MDSO, Miami Beach Park Rangers, MBPD, Bleeding Blue Inc, POAT, South Fla PBA, Walmart of NMB & Our Community,

It’s hard to come up with the right words to express the overwhelming gratitude that me, my husband & family feel from all of the love & support that everyone has shown us this past week. Your calls, texts, Instagram and Facebook messages have kept our mind off of the devastating loss of our home & belongings. We get these type of calls everyday at work and you never think about it happening to you until it does. I’m so thankful to God that he protected my husband & kids. Thanks to the generosity of everyone donating on fund the first, other avenues and the constant support, we have been able to begin rebuilding our lives day by day & focus on returning to some type of new normal for our children. Although we lost everything material that mattered to us, we have each other & we are focusing on the positive to get us through this tough time. I am a believer that God will never give us anything that we cannot handle. We are so grateful for you all & cannot thank everyone enough.

Love ,

The Pais Family

June 7th, 2025

ALI RIAZ, Organizer

Dear family, friends and colleagues:

Thank you to everyone who donated, shared, or supported this fundraiser.

Because of your generosity, we are able to bring much needed relief to the Pais family who lost everything in their house fire. Your kindness is making a world of difference and they are extremely grateful to everyone that has helped in anyway.

Thankfully, Jennifer has been able to find a house to rent and a place for her toddlers to call "home." She is still in the process of dealing with the insurance company and their adjusters. Having to walk through the ashes of what was once their forever home is not easy, but she is strong and in good spirits.

Although we have reached and exceeded our goal of $25,000.00 in just 4 days (amazing!), any additional assistance will help keep them going as they adjust to this new normal.

Once again, thank you for your support!

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