The Tragedy:
The Fanatical Change:
It was afternoon when we arrived at Refugio's apartment. There was still crime scene tape around his vehicle with a memorial with his picture.
With the money donated to Fanatical Change we were able to allocate $2,000 for Refugio's rent for the next 4 months and provide him with $1,000 in Kroger gift cards for food and gas. Now he can concentrate on recovering from his injuries, burying his brother Nicolas and being by Manuel's side as he continues to fight for his life at Ben Taub Hospital.Hector, Alexandra and Samantha Suarez
The Tragedy:
A family beach outing turned tragic on Sunday October 3, 2010. Hector Suarez had brought his family to the Texas City Dike for a day of fun in the sun. Instead he watched in horror as his twin girls struggled with the currents. He jumped in to rescue them but was unable to do so. He was hospitalized in critical condition as a result but the fate of his twin daughters was a parents worst nightmare. All of this occurred in front of the couple's eldest daughter, Gloria. To make matters worse as Edith, Hector's wife was visiting him in the hospital the couple's home was burglarized. Days later Hector succumbed to the trauma caused by his near drowning. Hector was the sole bread winner for his family. With the help of the fine and generous people of Houston who attended Hollywood Halloween we were able to bring a little peace to this family who has gone through something that is worse than anyone could imagine.
The Fanatical Change:
It was around 5:30 pm when we arrived at Edith Suarez's home. Her family was gathered around her and there was a large photo of her now departed husband and twin daughters hanging in the living room. Mrs. Suarez is eight months pregnant. She showed a strength that she said was so necessary for her children but under the surface we could see it was extremely hard for her. Thanks to our donors we were able to provide her and her family with $1,500 worth of gift cards to Kroger for food and gas, $1,000 to target for clothes and household needs and $1,500 to Ikea to help replace some of the furniture that was damaged during the burglary of their home. She was at a loss for words and was so thankful and surprised by the good will of her city.
Debbie Wilson
The Tragedy:
On Wednesday October 13, 2010 the sky in the Greenspoint area of Houston was thick with smoke. 37 units of the Driscol Place Apartments went up in a blaze. Debbie Wilson lost everything that she owns in the blaze. She did not have renter's insurance and without our help she was left with nothing.
The Fanatical Change:
We arrived at Debbie Wilson's new apartment at around 4pm. When we entered her apartment it really hit home how much she had lost because it was completely empty. There was no furniture, no decorations but when we left it was full of hope and thanks. As a result of our donor's generosity we provided her with $500 to Kroger so she can restock her refrigerator and pantry, $1,500 to Target for clothes and household items and $3000 to Ikea so she can fill her apartment with furniture. She was so grateful she felt compelled to call again later on in the night just to thank us one last time. She was told by Fanatical Change that her many thanks would be past on to those who made it possible through their kindness.
Theodore Jones
The Tragedy:
On Wednesday October 27, 2010 at 9:15am Theodore (Theo) Jones was waiting for the bus near his home with his seven month old son in his stroller. A car speeding and driving erratically was coming towards him but he did not see the car until it was too late as Theo was legally blind. When he realized that the car was careening toward him and his young son he threw himself in front of the carriage. He was killed instantly. His son suffered a broken arm. He is survived by his wife and two children. His family is unable to afford his funeral expenses. Thanks to the people who came out and donated at Hollywood Halloween a Fanatical Change was possible.
The Fanatical Change:
When Eleanor Jones, the mother of Theodore Jones, came to greet us she seemed as though the weight of the world was on her shoulders. It was heartbreaking to hear her tell the tale of how she actually went to the scene of the accident when it occurred but was unable to see her son due to the horrific injuries he had suffered. She told us how she wailed to the investigating officers to tell her that it was not true, not her baby. She was truly overcome with grief still. She shared with us a song of worship that he had just written for his church. There was not a dry eye as we heard the strain in her voice as she sang her son's song. It was a feeling that can not be described when we could see the relief that came over her when she was informed that she would be able to bury her son and give him a monument fitting to his life and that she would be able to get a head start on taking care of her grandchildren. We provided her with $3,500 toward his final expenses, $500 to Babies "R" Us, $500 to Target and $500 to Kroger. Mrs. Jones was overwhelmed by the generosity that her fellow citizens of showed in her time of need. She was so thankful and full of emotion. Mohammed Elsayed
The Tragedy:
On October 13,2010 during his usual night shift as a cab driver Mohammed Elsayed was killed by two assailants who robbed him. This father of two children was working hard to put himself through engineering school and made extra money by teaching language and cultural classes to the U.S. Military. He leaves behind his wife Doaa and his two daughters ages two and eight. He was a devoted husband and father and up until now Doaa has been a home maker. Now not only does she have to deal with the loss of her husband but will now have to be the bread winner of the family. Fanatical Change, with the aid of the donors who attended Hollywood Halloween, were able assist in this difficult transition.
The Fanatical Change
When we arrived at Doaa Elsayed's apartment we were greeted by her. She invited us in and we met her children and her sister. She told us about how her husband cared for them. How he took care of everything. She showed us pictures of him. We saw him golfing and swimming in the sea. She told us about how much he loved working with the U.S. military, teaching them about middle eastern culture. She said that he worked so hard. Putting himself through engineering school. He long to be able to provide them with more and worked hard everyday towards that goal. She was over come when we presented her with $1,000 to Kroger and $1,300 towards her rent to aid her in the transition to being the family's bread winner, $1,500 to Ikea so she could have some of the nicer things that he wished to provide her with, a new $600 computer and $600 worth of Rosetta Stone so she could have a better grasp of the English language so she can have better opportunities to provide for her children. She was so thankful. We were all humbled by her strength.
Franco Olascoaga
The Tragedy:
Franco Olascoaga was a generous twenty one year old man. He was a talented soccer player who played for a club team. He spent time volunteering as a soccer coach in Porter, Texas. On September 10, 2010 while coaching his team he was struck by lightning. He fought for his life until October 7 when he succumbed to his injuries. His family was unable to provide a headstone for their beloved son and brother.
The Fanatical Change:
Franco's mother greeted us at the family's Porter, Texas home with Franco's little sister Paula at her side. In the living room was an almost life size poster of Franco in a suit most likely from his senior prom which was not that long ago. His sister had written him a letter on a dry erase board. 
We told his mother, Aracelia, that we were able to provide her with $1,000 to Kroger to help with gas and groceries since he was no longer around to help with the household bills. Paula and his Franco's little brother Paul received savings bonds in their brother's honor for when it is time for them to go off to college and Franco will now have a fitting monument to commemorate his life. She was overcome with emotion as she held her daughter. We all shed tears as well.
The Fanatical Change Foundation would like to thank everyone who made Hollywood Halloween such a success. Without our donors none of this would be possible. We hope that we can continue to inspire you to be the change you wish to see in the world.
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