Can You Help Gladys Reyes?
Gladys Reyes is a young girl that attends my son's old middle school in West Saint Paul, where my son's mother-in-law teaches Gladys and many other students. Gladys, however, is not in school at the moment. The sixth-grader instead is in the hospital after being the victim of a horrible traffic accident:
A fund has been set up to help an eleven-year-old West St. Paul girl who was struck by a van and dragged nearly 500 yards.The accident left Gladys Reyes badly injured and forced doctors to amputate her right arm. She remains in critical condition at Regions Hospital.
The alleged hit-and-run driver, 33-year--old Mauricio Sanchez, of St. Paul, has been charged with two counts of criminal vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm. Bail is set at 100-thousand dollars, and he could face five years in prison.
Reyes is a sixth-grader at Heritage Middle School in West St. Paul. Principal Chris Hiti says her family has no insurance.
Sanchez apparently refused to stop the car, even with his friend pounding on the window trying to get him to hit the brakes. If this is true, he deserves as much as the legal system can throw at him, and will probably get it.
However, that will not help Gladys. She needs financial support to pay for the long stretch of medical assistance she will need, and her family needs the support of the community. In that effort, the Airport Hilton will hold a benefit tomorrow for the Reyes family; Gladys' mother Maria Galindo works for the hotel. Here is the press release for the benefit:
TWIN CITIES OF MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MN – The Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport – Mall of America will host a luncheon & silent auction benefit to help Gladys Reyes and her family. Gladys Reyes, age 11, was struck by a car as she crossed a West St. Paul street and was dragged nearly 500 yards before being freed from the front wheel. Today, Gladys remains in serious condition at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.“Gladys’ mother, Maria Galindo, has been employed at the Hilton since August of 2005. Maria is a great associate and plays an important role in the success of our department,” said Oscar Castellanos, Executive Housekeeper, Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport – Mall of America. General Manager, Michael Brunkow, stated, “Hosting this event is our way of being able to help Maria and her family offset some of the medical expenses incurred as a result of this terrible accident. We look forward to welcoming Maria back to work and hope Gladys will be returning home soon.”
The Gladys Reyes Luncheon & Silent Auction Benefit
When: Sunday, February 18, 2006
Time: 11 am to 2 pm
Menu: Salad Bar, Pasta Stations, Dessert Station
Price: $9.95 Adults, $5.95 Children Ages 5 and up
Address: 3800 American Boulevard East, Bloomington, MN
Phone: 952-854-2100*Silent Auction & Raffle items include gift certificates for vacation getaways.*
*All proceeds raised will be donated to the family of Gladys Reyes.*
To learn more about this event or to donate an item for the silent auction/raffle, please contact Shawn Anderson, Director of Sales & Marketing, at 952-548-0977.
If CQ readers want to add to the efforts to help a little girl recover, make sure you contact the number above. If you can't help out financially, please add the Reyes family to your prayers.
Posted by Ed Morrissey on February 17, 2007 9:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
