By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Employees at a local business were so moved by recent stories of tragedy and inspiration that they raised more than $1,000 for San Benito families in need.
Enrique Mendiola of G4s Secure Solutions in San Benito said his staff donated a combined $1,200 from out-of-pocket contributions, which he said went toward the Anguiano and Villegas families.
Mendiola said he and his staff were moved to help the Anguianos after learning of the tragic July 2 fire reported at the Luxury Apartments in San Benito, where Alicia C. Anguiano, 64, and her 5-year-old grandson, Angelo Christian Martinez, died from injuries sustained in the blaze. In an effort to aid the family with funeral expenses, Mendiola said G4s employees donated $600 to the Anguianos.
Members of the Anguiano family expressed gratitude on Friday for the donation.
The Villegases also received a $600 donation from the G4s staff – this after Mendiola said he was equally moved by San Benito resident Johnny Villegas, 32, organizing an event in his older sister’s name, Nina Villegas, 34. Johnny held Nina’s 5k Run on July 19 in an effort to raise money to help his sister, who was born with cerebral palsy, afford a special needs van for transportation purposes.
“This was done through donations from all the employees at G4s in San Benito,” Mendiola said. “We’ve been housed in San Benito for quite some time, and this is just our way of giving back to the community, because we are part of the community.”
On the selection of the Villegas and Anguiano families for the donations, Mendiola added, “They’re both unique situations, but they’re also both from the town that we serve and where we’re based out of. While they’re both different scenarios, they’re also good causes. It’s unfortunate that the Anguianos suffered two losses. It’s hard enough suffering those losses without also going through the expense of funeral costs and arrangements. And we saw the situation the Villegases were in with not having adequate transportation accommodations for Nina.”
According to Johnny, the G4s donation helped the Villegases reach their goal and afford a van that will help accommodate Nina, who is confined to a wheelchair.
“We’re very appreciative of what they did; we’re truly blessed,” Johnny said on Friday. “The donation they gave us yesterday got us the van we needed. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have made it.”
In total, Johnny said $7,000 was raised through the 5k event and from contributions such as the G4s donation.
The Anguianos received a $945 donation from employees at San Benito CISD, where Alicia was employed at the Transportation Department. District staff said that Transportation employees raised $530 while $415 was contributed from various campus and department employees.
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