by Tad Johnson
Thisweek Newspapers

The holidays are a stressful time for many people as they rush to make the season enjoyable for others.

For Santiago and Shadell Sedillo, that stress was compounded when a fire destroyed their home Nov. 8 at about 10:30 p.m.

The Apple Valley couple heard the smoke alarm sound, rounded up their two sleeping children and rushed out of the home uninjured.

Standing there, they watched as fire crews doused the flames, but everything in the home was a total loss.

In the aftermath of the fire, the local chapter of the American Red Cross and the Sedillos' church, South Twin Cities Church of Christ in Apple Valley, helped house the Sedillos in a Burnsville hotel.

The Community Action Council provided the Sedillos with food and other essentials like diapers for the couple's 22-month-old child. They also received some gas cards and use of a cell phone.

After instructors and staff members at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) found out that assistance for the Sedillos had essentially run out, they set up a fund for people to donate to help the couple.

"It's been rough," Shadell said. "I've been working at a temporary job, but since we are both taking classes, there's not much there."

Santiago and Shadell have been paying to live in the hotel from their own pocket and have many other immediate needs such as food, clothing and daily essentials.

The college's bookstore provided books to Santiago, who started the automotive technician program this year, and Shadell, who has taken courses toward earning her real estate license and in the criminal justice field.

"The school and church could only help us so much," Shadell said. "It was kind of stressful because of the holidays too. Our 3-year-old has his days. He says the fire broke our house. He knows his toys and other things are gone."

Santiago says the children don't go to sleep at night much and their oldest mostly just takes naps at the church's day care center.

"I'm glad the kids are little enough that they don't know what happened," Shadell said. She says it's good that they are young enough so they don't have great expectations for Christmas.

The timing of the fire, which started from a candle left unattended, couldn't have been worse for the Sedillos.

They had just finished remodeling their home and recently purchased some new furniture. Shadell says they are still determining what insurance might cover.

Shadell was unable to take her finals since they were the week after the fire. She says she'll complete the work this spring.

The family moved from Colorado to Minnesota six months ago for an educational system that would provide more opportunities for them and their children. Shadell was born in St. Croix and her mother has lived in Shoreview for five years.

Some fortunate turn of events have helped minimize the impact of the fire. When the family moved from Colorado, their moving truck broke down in Nebraska.

Since the family didn't have enough money to ship their possessions the rest of the way, the things have been in storage. Among the items are furniture and photographs, though many of the family's photos were stored on a computer that was destroyed in the fire.

After hearing about the fire, one of the Sedillos' neighbors said he was moving out of his home and said they could have the rental unit. The family hopes to move into the home within the next week or so after replacing the carpet.

Shadell says she's grateful for the home since being homeless in Minnesota during winter isn't a option. They appreciate all the help they've received so far, but know they have a long way to go to put their lives back together.

To donate to the Sedillo Support Fund, send checks in care of the fund to Dakota County Technical College, 1300 145th St. E., Rosemount, MN 55068.

Tad Johnson is at editor.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.