Random acts of kindness for Hampshire family
Last week, Diana Valdez went to get her daughter’s cap and gown for Saturday’s Hampshire High School graduation.
She was pleasantly surprised to learn that an anonymous person had already picked up the $50 expense.
Since the story of her family losing their Hampshire home because of a drunken driver has come to light, more than $5,000 has been donated to the family, and people are chipping in with other acts of kindness such as dropping off groceries and paying for the graduation gown.
“It helped us a lot. All the people I didn’t know were out there to help us. I just want to thank everyone for helping us,” Diana Valdez said. “We appreciate it.”
The family still must move this summer unless a miracle happens.
Francisco Valdez and his four children were hit head-on by a drunken driver the morning of Dec. 24, 2008. They were on their way to Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin to visit Diana, who had suffered a stroke a month earlier.
An Elgin man was charged with aggravated DUI.
James Palmer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison, The family, including Diana’s father, who also was injured in the crash, sued Palmer and was awarded $2.7 million, but Palmer, 39, did not have insurance at the time and can’t repay the family because he’s in prison.
Francisco was unable to return to his construction job and Diana is on disability because of her stroke.
A judge last month issued a final order to have the family’s home, which Francisco Valdez helped build, put into foreclosure auction. The family must vacate the home by July 12.
According to court records, the Valdezes borrowed $260,000 about a decade ago to build their home but now owe more than $340,000 to creditors as unpaid bills piled up and liens were placed on the property.
Bruce Strom, executive director of Administer Justice, an Elgin group that has accepted tax-deductible donations on the family’s behalf, said he also is working on some creative solutions to help the family and will know more in coming weeks.
“What I can say by way of update is that 60 people have graciously mailed in cards and letters in support of the Valdez family. The total gifts received is just over $5,000,” Strom wrote in an email. “As with most of our clients the challenges confronting the Valdez family are multiple and complex, but we are familiar with the complexities and pull together teams of professionals to address these challenges. That is what I am presently working toward for the Valdezes.”
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.
Diana Valdez said her family has a few options of where they will go in July. They painful part is leaving and knowing it’s possible that her family will be broken up.
“I don’t want to leave Hampshire, but we don’t have another choice. This is the only place we’ve been happy,” she said. “Hopefully, at the end of the tunnel, like everybody says, there has to be some light out there.”