Public rallies around family

(Courtesy photo)

By ARABELLA SERRATA
editor@sbnewspaper.com

The community is rallying around a San Benito family facing difficulties this holiday season.

Carmen Rivas, a mother of ten, went into intensive care after giving birth to an early baby. In response, the community of San Benito rallied around the family, specifically the children, to provide them with a Christmas they won’t forget.

According to family friends, after Rivas delivered her baby, she fell into a coma, leaving her nine children without her during these holidays. The children range from ages three-13 and are currently cared for by their father and grandmother. At the time of writing, the newborn is still in intensive care.

“These ladies from the community reached out to me and asked if there was anything they could do,” said Jessica Alvarado Gonzales, originally from San Benito.

Gonzales says she immediately jumped into action, posting online to reach anyone willing to help. In response, the public helped purchase the family gifts and donated a Christmas tree. Through a group effort, Gonzales and the family supporters raised $1,400 and many gifts for the kids.

“We have a very supportive, compassionate community,” said Gonzales.

The San Benito Public Library was a hub for all the gifts donated to the Rivas family.

As the family was surprised with a “carload” of gifts, including a bike, a group of supporters joined Gonzales. Among them were Ricardo Perez, who volunteered to dress up as Santa Claus, and Nayelli Quiroga a campus teacher at Angela G. Leal Elementary in San Benito where the children attend. Gonzales said the children “lit up” when they saw Quiroga, whom the children know from school.

Also in attendance was San Benito Mayor Ricardo Guerra. Guerra led the group in a prayer for the family, Rivas, and the baby who were reportedly recovering in the hospital when the gifts were delivered to the children on Saturday afternoon. Gonzales said the day was highly emotional for everyone involved.

“It was just so nice to see the people coming and dropping off gifts,” said Gonzales. “We all held hands — strangers and kids, her [Rivas’] mother. The mayor and the father were crying. It was very emotional for all of us. We were all crying. The whole family was grateful.”

Gonzales recounted that the teary-eyed children said, “People have never cared for us like this before,” leaving Gonzales speechless.

“They didn’t have their mother. It could happen to any of us. I remember growing up, we didn’t have much either,” said Gonzales.

Denise Garcia, another family supporter, shared how the kids were handling the situation. “When I talk to them, they just cry. They don’t want to be separated,” said Garcia.

Garcia was told by Virginia Guzman, the children’s grandmother that Rivas had awakened from her coma and was in intensive care. Rivas is currently unable to talk or walk; she is also dealing with lung issues. She is slated for physical therapy in the coming weeks. According to Garcia, the baby is being watched at all hours of the day.

“I lost my mom in 2021. It was hard to accept that my mom was not here, and when my daughter told me their mom was in a coma…It broke my heart to know that these kids could be left without a mom,” said Garcia.