Sports card store owner surprises boy who lost card collection in Denver house fire

DENVER — It has been every week since a single mom and three youngsters had been left and not using a dwelling after a fireplace in Denver.

Katrina Martinez and her three kids — Adam Jr., 12, Amyrikal, 10 and Adias, 9 — misplaced every little thing when their home burned down on Jan. 14.

“Each reminiscence I can consider, the final eight years, has been at this home,” Martinez stated.

Her oldest son, Adam, suffered burns when attempting to place the fireplace out.

“I ran via the home and tried to seize the hose however once I grabbed the hose the entire high of the home was stuffed with smoke,” Adam stated.

Sports activities card retailer proprietor surprises boy who misplaced card assortment in Denver home fireplace

He was devastated after dropping all of his belongings, particularly his beloved sports activities card assortment. “

They had been handed down from generations, handed down from my grandpa’s grandpa,” Adam stated. “They had been in mint situation.”

When Mike Fruitman, proprietor of Mike’s Stadium Sportscards in Aurora, heard what occurred, he determined to assist.

“I wished to vary issues. I can’t return. I can not rebuild a home or cease fires however I could make somebody smile,” Fruitman stated. “I began amassing once I was 8 years outdated. I get the worth, not simply the worth of playing cards — however what they imply. It’s a group, one thing necessary. So once I hear about somebody dropping their playing cards, all I need to do is assist.”

Saturday, Adam’s grandparents introduced him into Fruitman’s retailer. Adam was in a position to select any playing cards he wished.

“I’m feeling so completely satisfied. That is so wonderful,” Adam stated as he was trying via a number of the playing cards, going straight to the part that included his favourite groups — The Denver Nuggets and Las Vegas Raiders.

Fruitman and his staff additionally shocked Adam along with his favourite Nuggets participant’s jersey — Nikola Jokić.

Additionally they heard Adam’s youthful brother liked Pokémon playing cards and despatched him dwelling with practically 5,000 playing cards to provide to his little brother Adias.

Adam stated he’s grateful for all the individuals who have been displaying help for his household.

Earlier this week, The nonprofit, Garments to Youngsters of Denver, reached out to Denver7, providing to take the household on a free buying spree.

The household was additionally capable of replenish on on a regular basis necessities at Walmart, due to donations that poured in from the neighborhood.

“The donations we’re receiving are very useful and I simply wished to say ‘thanks,’” Adam stated.

Denver7 has been elevating cash for the household for practically every week via Denver7 Offers Basis.

To this point, viewers have raised a complete of round $18,000 to assist them out.

Adam, his mom and two siblings are nonetheless and not using a dwelling and have been briefly staying with kinfolk till they discover a place to reside.