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Home Repairs Begin for War Hero’s Mother

7 years 5 days 12 hours ago Thursday, March 23 2017 Mar 23, 2017 March 23, 2017 6:29 PM March 23, 2017 in News

EDINBURG – Fallen war hero Freddy Gonzalez’s mother is getting her roof fixed free of charge. Some local veterans stepped up when she needed help.

Dolia Gonzalez said losing her son in 1968 was the most difficult thing she’s ever had to face. She said seeing people step up and help her makes her proud.

A few weeks ago during the recent rains that hit the Rio Grande Valley, Gonzalez said she noticed her roof was leaking. The 87-year-old woman has lived in her home for decades and was unsure how she would afford to fix the roof.

“I just thought, well I had to either borrow money and pay for it. And then all of a sudden, I go to pay a bill and when I come back there were cars all over the neighborhood. I’m so proud to see these people that I have never met before come to my help,” she said.

Words of Gonzalez’s need spread quick. A group of Valley veterans jumped into action. Edinburg City Councilman Richard Molina said he had never met Gonzalez until her problem was brought to his attention.

On Thursday, he assured her he would have her roof repaired.

“It means a lot to me. More than you ever know. I still miss my boy very, very much. The Marine family is getting together to help me, which is never expected,” Gonzalez said.

Molina said his children go to the school named after Freddy Gonzalez, and being an Edinburg resident, he’s always had respect for both Gonzalez and her son.

He said he knew he had to do something to help.

“I know the red tape that it takes to deal with grants and fundraisers and different nonprofits that we could have reached out to. I was believing that that would take too long. So myself and Edgar took it upon (ourselves) to fix the leaking roof,” Molina said.

Molina said he enlisted the help of friend and fellow veteran, Edgar Carranza, to spend their money to fix the roof. Carranza, being a home contractor, was able to receive some building materials free of charge.

“Molina and myself are going to take care of the remainder of the cost, but a huge help came from my friend Crawford at Zarski Lumber. He donated the shingles. And my great friend Fabian from West End, who is also a Marine veterans like myself, a big thanks to them to provide the remainder of materials needed to cover the roof,” Carranza said.

The new roof will be completed by the end of Friday. Gonzalez said she can’t thank everyone involved enough for coming to the rescue.

Molina said he has received calls from people across the Valley wanting to help Gonzalez. He said any further donations will go to fixing the inside of Gonzalez’s home.

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