It has been a week and a half since a 54-inch water main from the 1930s ruptured in Detroit’s Southwest neighborhood, causing flooding that damaged hundreds of homes and displaced more than 650 people. The city was able to get the affected residents into hotels across metro Detroit, and churches started collecting supplies and donations. Many nonprofits and local businesses also began setting up mutual aid funds; collection points for bottled water, hygiene products, and clothes; and donating cooked meals.

This past Saturday was Gabriela Santiago-Romero’s birthday party fundraising event. She had set out to raise $20,000 in just over a month to help support a campaign while working full time for the city. The event proved successful and the room roared as Santiago-Romero unexpectedly crossed the finish line.