Dozens of flood survivors get free furniture from San Diego construction company
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — More and more people who want to help flood survivors continue to emerge across the county.
On Saturday, a San Diego construction company gave away free furniture to people impacted by the Jan. 22 flooding.
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“I got an entertainment center, a couple of chairs, so whatever I don’t have to buy over is a blessing,” said Kelia Martins, mother of two whose home was destroyed by the Jan. 22 flooding.
Martins is a mother of two. She is now looking to refurnish her home with some of the free items after the late January storm flooded her ground-level apartment in Rolando.
“Everything….the kids furniture, all the furniture, all the furniture, everything. We need everything,” Martins said.
“People are getting what they need and loading up their cars, it’s creating a mess on the street a little bit, but most people have been very patient and understanding,” said Henish Pulickal, CalHomeCo CEO.
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CalHomeCo Construction Company is giving away the free furniture to flood survivors. The CEO of the company said in February they bought a warehouse in Barrio Logan with everything inside.
“We started looking and we saw stuff was valuable in there, some things that are useful and valuable,” Pulickal said.
But instead of selling or throwing away the items in order to rebuild into a multi-use apartment building, Pulickal said he is happy to pause those plans for flood survivors.
“I really love seeing the appreciative faces and the people that are saying thanks. I only wish I could do more, only so much you can do. But hopefully this also inspires other people to contribute and help and not forget,” Pulickal said.
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Martins said she will have to put her new furniture in storage for now, while she and her kids live in hotels until they can go home.
“You know, just day by day taking it one day at a time. It’s really stressful mentally to be honest, but what can we say,” Martins said.
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Martins has created a GoFundMe to help with living expenses.
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