Combat Veterans Family of 7 Face Tough Times After Arson Fire Destroys Home

There are some stories that hit you right in the heart, and this is one of them.

A Central Minnesota Marine Corps Combat Vet and his family are trying to pick up the pieces after losing nearly everything in a devastating arson fire, and now the community is stepping up in a big way to help them through the unimaginable.

THE WILKEN FAMILY OF CAMBRIDGE

Travis and Taylor Wilken of Cambridge are suddenly facing a nightmare no family ever expects. Their home was destroyed in a fire that investigators say was intentionally set, leaving the couple and their five children trying to navigate life one day at a time while dealing with shock, heartbreak, and uncertainty.

GO FUND ME PAGE HAS BEEN SET UP

A fundraiser created by Taylor’s father, Jeff Larson, has already drawn support from dozens of donors who want to help the family replace necessities and survive the difficult weeks ahead.

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IMMEDIATE NEEDS

While the Wilkens do have homeowners' insurance, anyone who has gone through a disaster knows that help doesn’t arrive overnight.

In the meantime, there are immediate needs like clothing, food, temporary housing, toiletries, and all of the little things families rely on every single day.

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CONNECTION THROUGH COMMUNITY

What makes this story even more emotional is how connected the family is to the community around them.

Many people know the Wilkens through the Cambridge-Isanti Hockey Association, where four of their boys played hockey last season. Friends, neighbors, teammates, and fellow parents are now rallying around the family during what is likely the hardest chapter of their lives.

MARINE CORPS COMBAT VETERAN

Travis is also a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Afghanistan. After years spent serving others, many people now feel it is their turn to serve him and his family in their time of need.

UPDATED INFORMATION

In an update shared on the fundraiser page recently, Jeff Larson said the past week has been incredibly difficult as Travis and Taylor continue meeting with investigators from the fire department and sheriff’s office. Authorities are still working to identify and locate a person of interest connected to the arson investigation.

At the same time, the family has been trying to document everything they lost in the fire, smoke, and water damage. Larson said Travis has spent countless hours working through that overwhelming process while Taylor focuses on keeping the boys occupied during long days spent away from home.

A BRIGHT SPOT IN A SEA OF UNCERTAINTY

One small bright spot came over the weekend when Larson took the four oldest boys bowling for a few hours to give Taylor a chance to breathe. He later met them at a local playground where, for a little while at least, the kids were simply able to run, laugh, and be kids again.

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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY

Anyone wishing to help the Wilken family can donate to the fundraiser or continue sharing it with others as the family begins the long road forward. You can click HERE to learn more.