After losing his home in a fire, longtime Pfister Hotel employee gets help from coworkers
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Juan Rodriguez has spent more than 50 years taking care of guests at Milwaukee’s Pfister Hotel. Now, after losing his home in a fire, his coworkers are returning the favor.
Rodriguez, who works as the hotel’s tea butler, came home last week to find his home on fire.
“It was like a nightmare for me, watching the house go in flames,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez lost his home and almost everything he owned in the fire.
Brenda Simonis, the Pfister’s director of housekeeping, said she knew the loss would be devastating for Rodriguez.
“I knew it was really devastating for him, and I was like oh my God, we’ve got to do something,” Simonis said.
Simonis and Rodriguez have worked together for 19 years.
“Juan, to me, feels like family,” Simonis said.
Simonis helped start an online fundraiser for Rodriguez. The Pfister also gave him a room to stay in for as long as he needs it.
“He’s a really hardworking person; he takes care of everyone else. He doesn’t ever ask for anything back, he’s just so giving,” Simonis said.
Now, Rodriguez is looking for a new home as the people he has spent decades caring for help him through the loss.
“It’s our chance to say thank you and to give something back to him,” Simonis said.
