Massachusetts Teen Steps Up Big for Best Friend After Devastating Fall River House Fire

When a fire destroyed her best friend’s Fall River home, 16-year-old Giuliana Madeira didn’t just offer words of support. She decided to do something about it.

On July 26, a fire on Hicks Street destroyed the home of the Brilhante family. Thankfully, everyone made it out safely, including the family’s two beloved dogs. However, nearly everything they owned was lost, leaving the family facing the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.

For Madeira, a close friend of the family’s daughter Riley Brilhante, standing by and watching her friend go through such a difficult time wasn’t an option.

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A Friend Who Chose to Help

She organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help the family with some of their immediate needs, including temporary housing, clothing, food, toiletries, medications and supplies for their dogs. The original goal was $40,000. Thanks in large part to the generosity of the community, the fundraiser has now reached approximately $35,000 and continues to climb.

Massachusetts Teen Steps Up Big for Best Friend After Devastating Fall River House Fire

Madeira’s efforts recently earned her a citation from the City of Fall River, presented by City Councilor Andrew J. Raposo in recognition of her kindness and initiative.

A Proud Uncle

Her proud uncle Kevin Madeira wanted to make sure his niece received some recognition for what she has done. “She deeply cares about everybody,” he said.

That kindness doesn’t stop with the fundraiser. Giuliana is a student at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, where she is studying in the healthcare field. She also works as a pharmacy technician at CVS.

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For Kevin, the citation is about more than an award. It is a reflection of the kind of person his niece is becoming. At just 16 years old, Giuliana saw a family she cared about facing one of the hardest moments of their lives and decided to step up. She couldn’t undo the fire or replace the memories that were lost, but she could help make the road ahead a little easier.