Community Rallies Around Beloved Ridgewood Coach Mickey Santiago After Devastating House Fire
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The heart of Ridgewood, New Jersey, is on full display this week. Following a devastating basement fire that displaced a cherished local mentor, the community has shown up in a massive way, raising over $23,000 in just a matter of days to help the family rebuild.
On Tuesday morning, May 5, Ridgewood firefighters—with assistance from the Glen Rock Fire Department—responded to a heavy, smoky structure fire on the 600 block of Arcadia Road. Thanks to the quick action of local first responders, the fire was successfully knocked down.
Most importantly, all occupants evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported.
A Community Leader in Need of Support
The single-family home belonged to longtime Ridgewood coach and mentor Ernesto “Mickey” Santiago, his wife Marivic, and their three sons: Gabe, Zach, and Matthew.
According to a GoFundMe campaign launched by Maroon Pride, the fire broke out unexpectedly while family members were inside.
“Mickey, Marivic, and Gabe, who was home studying for his MCATs, were inside during the traumatic event, which began in the basement and slowly spread through the house,” the fundraiser notes. “Thankfully, they were able to evacuate safely.”
While everyone made it out unharmed, the emotional and logistical aftermath is daunting. The Santiago family is currently staying in a temporary hotel while they search for a local rental home. The rebuilding process for their Arcadia Road house is estimated to take anywhere from 12 to 24 months.
Beyond the physical loss, the family now faces the uphill battle of insurance negotiations, unexpected financial stress, and the emotional weight of losing a lifetime of family memories.
More Than a Coach: Mickey Santiago’s 20-Year Legacy
For over two decades, Coach Mickey Santiago has been a cornerstone of the Ridgewood youth sports community. He has volunteered his time across multiple organizations, shaping the lives of countless young athletes and families.
A Legacy of Service in Ridgewood:
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20+ Years of Mentorship: Dedicated coach across local football, lacrosse, and youth sports.
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Community Leadership: Served on the Ridgewood Junior Football Association board and volunteered with the Cub Scouts.
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Youth Development: Helped launch the innovative Intro to Tackle football program for second graders.
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High School Athletics: Coached both football and lacrosse at Ridgewood High School.
“For more than twenty years, Mickey Santiago has shown up for Ridgewood families without asking for anything in return,” the Maroon Pride fundraiser highlights. “He coached, mentored, volunteered, encouraged, and helped shape the lives of countless young men both on and off the field.”
How to Help the Santiago Family Rebuild
Now, the community is returning the favor. As of Monday, May 18, the community has already rallied to raise more than $23,000, but the road to recovery is long.
If you would like to support this local coach who has given so much to Ridgewood’s youth, you can view the campaign and make a donation directly through the Official GoFundMe Campaign for the Santiago Family.
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Tags:
Ridgewood NJCommunity NewsMickey SantiagoGoFundMeLocal SportsFire ReliefMaroon Pride
Hopefully this comes to a satisfactory conclusion with the insurance company. If the settlement proposed is insufficient, it might be an appropriate suggestion to get a private insurance adjuster. I ‘think’ their fee is 10 percent so thats a lot you don’t want to give up . My friend had a water leak and his adjuster got him 60k when it ended up costing him 9k to repair. so worth it for him
$23,000 is a big way? Maybe shake your cushions out again.
I know MIckey as a fellow parishoner at Mt Carmel, and he is an outstanding person!
Please consider joining me in helping with the GoFundMe campaign as there could not be a more deserving person.