Through one extraordinary gesture, an automobile artist is celebrating the lives of five Texas children who died tragically.
Trey Ganem, who runs Ganem's Garage in Edna, has voluntarily designed unique and colorful caskets for the Ortiz and Hernandez children who died in a trailer home fire last week, USA Today reports. Ganem -- who typically uses his painting skills to glamorize vehicles -- created elaborate caskets styled to each child's interests so they won't be buried in just "a metal box," he told the source.
Ganem, who built all five caskets in four days on little sleep, according to ABC 13 News, created the designs free-of-charge.
"We want it to be more of a celebration of that person's life," he told KHOU 11 News.
The house fire had started at about 5 a.m. last Tuesday, ABC 13 News reported. Firefighters arrived to find the trailer home in which the family lived engulfed in flames.
Ganem's created two caskets based off of the film, "Frozen," for sisters Areyanah Hernandez, who was 6, and Lilyana Hernandez, who was 5, according to USA Today. The family's eldest son, Noah Ortiz, who was 15 years old and played varsity football, has a casket painted in his school's colors, along with his jersey number. Julian Ortez, who was 13, will be laid to rest in a WWE wrestling-themed casket, while Nicholas Ortiz, who was 9 years old, will be buried in one designed with a favorite video game in mind.
Two GoFundMe pages have garnered more than $50,000 for the family, according to NY Daily News, with funds going toward funeral costs, rebuilding a new home and other unexpected expenses.
"So sorry to hear such tragic [and] devastating news," Maria Hernandez, one of the hundreds of supporters, commented online. "Words can't ease your pain but hopefully [with] prayers [and] support can the Ortiz/Hernandez [family] pull through these hard times."
While the Internet has drawn support from around the country, Ganem said he hasn't had to look far to find those wanting to help.
"This community has pulled together like none that I've seen for this family," he told KHOU 11 News.
To support the five children's family, visit their GoFundMe page.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
