How to help Hampshire family devastated by DUI
A Hampshire police officer Sunday left his card on the door at the home of Diana Valdez, asking her to call right away.
At first she thought something happened to one of her kids.
She later learned the officer wanted to put her in touch with a West Chicago couple who wanted to donate to the family, whose home is being foreclosed after a head-on collision with a drunken driver. The Valdez family was profiled in Sunday's Daily Herald.
"That was very nice. It was a big surprise to us," Diana said Monday after meeting with the couple, who gave her a $500 check.
But not all ways to help the Valdez family need to be done in person. An Elgin group has set up a fund to accept donations for the family, and the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists also has pledged rental assistance if the family must move.
Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Administer Justice, c/o the Francisco and Diana Valdez Family, 1750 Grandstand Place, Suite 15, Elgin, 60123. For more information, call (847) 844-1100 or email bstrom@administerjustice.org. Please specify on the check that the donation is for the Valdez Family.
The morning of Dec. 24, 2008, Francisco Valdez Sr., his four children and father-in-law were driving to Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin to visit Diana, who had suffered a stroke a month earlier, when their car was hit head-on by a drunken driver.
Diana's father, Artemio Salinas, also was hurt in the crash.
James Palmer, 39, of Elgin pleaded guilty and will be in prison until June 2014. The family sued Palmer and was awarded $2.7 million. But because he did not have insurance, was unemployed and living with his parents, it is unlikely the Valdezes will see any of the money, and if they do it won't be in time to save their home.
Francisco Valdez could not return to his job as a construction worker, and Diana Valdez eventually lost her job. A judge last month ordered their home to be put up for auction, and the family must vacate by July 12.
Pat Larson, AAIM's director of Victim Services, said the group hopes to provide several months of rental assistance to the family if they must move.
"We are still wanting to help them out because here is a family, through no fault of their own, that is suffering financially," Larson said. "This case is one of thousands. Very seldom are people hit by someone who drives a Rolls-Royce."
Diana Valdez said she and her family are thankful to the West Chicago couple and will use part of the money for a cap and gown for the upcoming Hampshire High School graduation for their daughter, Yessenia, 18.
The rest of the money will go toward food and other bills, she said.
According to court records, the Valdezes borrowed about $267,000 when they built their five-bedroom home in Hampshire more than a decade ago. They now owe more than $340,000 as creditors have placed liens on their property, according to court records.
Diana Valdez is grateful there are people who care.
"There's people that want to help," she said.