Friends, neighbors and supporters participated in a car wash fundraiser in Laton to help the family as they cope with the tragedy and work to recover after losing their belongings in the fire.
"It's been so, so humbling and very, very, very heartwarming to see how the whole community has come together for Kayla," said Claudia Magallan, a friend of the Ledesma family.
Dozens of people attended the fundraiser despite the heat, with organizers emphasizing that the effort was focused on helping the family rather than reaching a specific fundraising target.
Magallan said the community support has been overwhelming.
"All the support that we got, people that came out today to help with the car wash-you know, everything, everything is seen and appreciated, and we thank everybody from the bottom of our hearts," she said.
According to Magallan, the goal is to help ease the burden facing the family.
"We're all grieving, but we're all here in good spirits, trying to get you know, trying to get them back on their feet and making, you know, life a little bit normal again for them," she said.
Support has come from a wide range of people, including friends, neighbors and members of the Laton Fire Department.
"I think that's awesome that they want to help. I think it's great," Magallan said.
The community effort extended beyond Laton. In Kerman, supporters gathered for a yard sale, with proceeds from sales of items including clothing and coffee benefiting the Ledesma family.
"There are really no words. I feel like we're all a little bit scatterbrained right now, but we just want to thank everybody from the bottom of our hearts. It's just we see it, we feel it. It's great," Magallan said.
The car wash fundraiser is scheduled to continue Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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