Help Mary C. Gonzalez With Home Restoration
Hello Friends,
As a result of the recent flooding in Gila Bend, our life-long friend and matriarch, Mary Gonzalez, lost virtually everything in her precious home. Her husband Raymundo built this home for his family in 1963. Widowed, but not weak, at age 92, this is still where Mary resides.
In the waking hours of August 14th, Mary woke up in the night and stepping onto her floor realized that her house was flooding. She, like many others in town, had no way of knowing the magnitude of the storm waters that were on the way. It turned out to be a blessing that by the time she made it to the front door, it would no longer open, as she would have likely been swept away.
Mary held out in her bedroom, standing on her bed with water up to her chest, calling out until help arrived. While we are all eternally grateful that she is alive and well, sadly, her beloved home is not. Without warning, all her personal belongings, appliances, furniture, clothing, everything, was lost. With this, in addition to the extensive damage to the home itself as well as her yard and other structures on the property, this is not an emotional, or financial burden we could let her face alone.
Along with the 7 children Mary and Raymundo raised in this home, there have been grand-children, friends, their children (including me), who Mary has happily fed and cared for. No invitation needed, just knock on the door and she would greet you with a smile, sit you down at the kitchen table, and hand you a hot plate of fresh beans, homemade tortillas, tamales… Her kindness accompanied by warm conversation, laughter, and hugs.
I have no words to describe the sadness that followed that first opening of her front door after the flood waters had receded. So many memories, now covered in a brown layer of mud in a home that she always kept so immaculate. Her welcoming kitchen table tossed on its side, devastation all around, but also the presence of family and friends there to help. Tearful at times as they worked to gather what they could, but strong in their conviction to make it right.
Hope springs eternal, and the sturdy foundation and structure that Raymundo built with his own hands is standing strong waiting to be restored, so Mary can make her way back home. Please join us to pay forward all the love and kindness Mary has put out into the world by donating or sharing this site if your heart calls you to do so. Thank you in advance for any way you can contribute.
Sadly, Mary's Homeowner's Insurance is not paying for any repairs and Flood Insurance is only covering a small portion. Donations will be used to restore and refurnish the house, allowing Mary to return to her home.
