A Dream Quinceañera for Cora
Donation protected
The Story:
When Cora’s father, Ignacio Gomez, met her Mother, Monica, he knew she was the one for him.
When Monica met Ignacio, she knew he was nuts. Who was this guy in pursuit of her?!? What was his angle? He was a musician after all, and a Mariachi to boot! Those musician types were known as Casanovas, with a girl at every gig!
But not “Nacho” he was different; a cut above the rest, a “Fuera de serie” was he. Romantic and relentless was his pursuit of Monica, and in short order he won her heart! A most amazing union was forged, Nacho had found his Queen (though he called her “Mija”), and Monica found out that fairy tale Princes did exist, as she now had her very own! Their love was as boundless as their happiness, and after a 2 year courtship they were married in 1995.
For the next few years Nacho and Monica traveled extensively throughout Nachos’s native Mexico and Europe.
In mid 2001, they began to plan for their next years adventure: a trip to beautiful Greece. But plans change and the most wondrous of wonders happened…they were going to be parents! Not the adventure they had planned, but an adventure they were ecstatic about! A BABY, a person born of their love for each other!
However, our couple would feel their happiness foiled by tragedy on October 28th 2001. On his way home from work, Ignacio Gomez was killed by a drunk driver.
Monica’s world shattered. How was she going to live without Nacho? She knew she had to, for Baby Gomez was on the way, but grief held her heart.
All through her pregnancy she fought the sadness, she keep telling herself there was nothing left for her to do BUT go on. So go on she did. Fiercely protective of the precious gift Nacho left behind, she persevered and gave birth to Cora Elena Gomez on May 9, 2002. The world was once again full of love and promise for Monica.
With the support of her family, Monica was able to go back to work and build a new life for her and her new baby girl. She found her niche in the world of education and became a professor of Criminal Justice, teaching at not 1, but 2 colleges.
And Cora grew; so beautiful, strong and smart, she excelled in her education, and found a love for music, playing the piano and singing like a natural.
In September of 2013, life threw yet another curve ball at this amazing mom and daughter team: Monica suffered a stroke which left her with some permanent paralyses and unable to return to work. Again, with support from Monica’s family, Monica and Cora made it through Monica’s long recovery and rehabilitation .
Still unnable to work, Monica now supports Cora and herself with her Social Security checks and as we all know Social Security does not provide for more then the necessities: 3 square meals a day and a roof over their heads.
This is where, dear friends, you might be able to help.
Cora is turning 15 this year, and Monica is planning a Quinceñiera, something that her father dreamed about for his future daughters.
Monica thought that she would be planning this party with Nacho, but with her love for his memory and the love of their daughter she has scrimped and saved, planning this very special and important event in Cora’s life:
Her introduction into adulthood.
With the help of this “GoFundMe” page, we are trying to raise enough money for Cora to have the party of her dreams.
(And maybe a little to help with Coras dream to attend UC Berkeley or Stamford, in anthropology or physics. She has an amazing 4.2 gpa)
Won’t you please find it in your heart to help?
Any amount will help and gratefully appreciated by Monica, Cora, and their family.
Thank you.
The Event :
Quinceñiera For Cora
June 10, 2017, Fontana Ca,
150 family members and a few of Cora's close friends.
Fund allocation:
We are trying to raise as much of the funds by the 10th of May 2017 as most of the vendors want final payment 30 days prior.
Cora's Dress. 500pd
Invitations 120pd
Quinceñiera Mass. 600pd
Hall; includes hall rental,
decor and food 5900 (500deposit,pd)
Transportation 340pd
Mariachi. 600
DJ. 450
Cake. 300
Sparklingly Cider 75pd
Flowers, centerpiece 200
Photography. 1600 est
Thank you Favors. 290
Personal note from the campaign coordinator:
I personally, can not thank you enough for your support,
I was moved by this story and knew that I had to find a way to help Cora and her Mom.
I will be posting on the Blog some of the fun things we have been doing for this wonderful event!
Cheri
When Cora’s father, Ignacio Gomez, met her Mother, Monica, he knew she was the one for him.
When Monica met Ignacio, she knew he was nuts. Who was this guy in pursuit of her?!? What was his angle? He was a musician after all, and a Mariachi to boot! Those musician types were known as Casanovas, with a girl at every gig!
But not “Nacho” he was different; a cut above the rest, a “Fuera de serie” was he. Romantic and relentless was his pursuit of Monica, and in short order he won her heart! A most amazing union was forged, Nacho had found his Queen (though he called her “Mija”), and Monica found out that fairy tale Princes did exist, as she now had her very own! Their love was as boundless as their happiness, and after a 2 year courtship they were married in 1995.
For the next few years Nacho and Monica traveled extensively throughout Nachos’s native Mexico and Europe.
In mid 2001, they began to plan for their next years adventure: a trip to beautiful Greece. But plans change and the most wondrous of wonders happened…they were going to be parents! Not the adventure they had planned, but an adventure they were ecstatic about! A BABY, a person born of their love for each other!
However, our couple would feel their happiness foiled by tragedy on October 28th 2001. On his way home from work, Ignacio Gomez was killed by a drunk driver.
Monica’s world shattered. How was she going to live without Nacho? She knew she had to, for Baby Gomez was on the way, but grief held her heart.
All through her pregnancy she fought the sadness, she keep telling herself there was nothing left for her to do BUT go on. So go on she did. Fiercely protective of the precious gift Nacho left behind, she persevered and gave birth to Cora Elena Gomez on May 9, 2002. The world was once again full of love and promise for Monica.
With the support of her family, Monica was able to go back to work and build a new life for her and her new baby girl. She found her niche in the world of education and became a professor of Criminal Justice, teaching at not 1, but 2 colleges.
And Cora grew; so beautiful, strong and smart, she excelled in her education, and found a love for music, playing the piano and singing like a natural.
In September of 2013, life threw yet another curve ball at this amazing mom and daughter team: Monica suffered a stroke which left her with some permanent paralyses and unable to return to work. Again, with support from Monica’s family, Monica and Cora made it through Monica’s long recovery and rehabilitation .
Still unnable to work, Monica now supports Cora and herself with her Social Security checks and as we all know Social Security does not provide for more then the necessities: 3 square meals a day and a roof over their heads.
This is where, dear friends, you might be able to help.
Cora is turning 15 this year, and Monica is planning a Quinceñiera, something that her father dreamed about for his future daughters.
Monica thought that she would be planning this party with Nacho, but with her love for his memory and the love of their daughter she has scrimped and saved, planning this very special and important event in Cora’s life:
Her introduction into adulthood.
With the help of this “GoFundMe” page, we are trying to raise enough money for Cora to have the party of her dreams.
(And maybe a little to help with Coras dream to attend UC Berkeley or Stamford, in anthropology or physics. She has an amazing 4.2 gpa)
Won’t you please find it in your heart to help?
Any amount will help and gratefully appreciated by Monica, Cora, and their family.
Thank you.
The Event :
Quinceñiera For Cora
June 10, 2017, Fontana Ca,
150 family members and a few of Cora's close friends.
Fund allocation:
We are trying to raise as much of the funds by the 10th of May 2017 as most of the vendors want final payment 30 days prior.
Cora's Dress. 500pd
Invitations 120pd
Quinceñiera Mass. 600pd
Hall; includes hall rental,
decor and food 5900 (500deposit,pd)
Transportation 340pd
Mariachi. 600
DJ. 450
Cake. 300
Sparklingly Cider 75pd
Flowers, centerpiece 200
Photography. 1600 est
Thank you Favors. 290
Personal note from the campaign coordinator:
I personally, can not thank you enough for your support,
I was moved by this story and knew that I had to find a way to help Cora and her Mom.
I will be posting on the Blog some of the fun things we have been doing for this wonderful event!
Cheri
Organizer and beneficiary
Cheri Bower
Organizer
Fontana, CA
Monica Gomez
Beneficiary
