Community shows support for officer with cancer

Guadalupe Ayala chicken plate sale pic1

San Benito Police Officer Guadalupe Ayala (orange shirt) is shown with members of his family after accepting a $150 donation from Senator Eddie Lucio (above) to help fund his cancer treatment. Ayala is also shown with Mayor Joe H. Hernandez (below). (Courtesy photos)

 

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Guadalupe Ayala chicken plate sale pic2The community showed its love to San Benito Police Officer Guadalupe Ayala on Saturday after citizens purchased nearly 1,000 tickets as part of a chicken plate fundraiser at the Heavin Resaca Trail.

The fundraiser was organized by the policeman’s fellow brothers in blue as well as his family to help him incur the cost of cancer treatment.

Approximately 900 tickets were sold at $6 each, which coupled with monetary donations Ayala received amounted to over $7,000 in contributions from the community. After factoring the cost of holding the fundraiser, Ayala received nearly $6,500, enough to cover hotel expenses in Houston where he travels periodically to receive chemotherapy treatment at MD Anderson, not to mention tests the police officer has had to endure – of which costs have exceeded $4,000.

Ayala, a 20-year veteran police officer, was recently diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer, news which came as a shock after he survived a cancer scare two years ago. In response to his time of need, fellow police officers, including Oscar Leal, Lupi Andrade, Detective Arturo Flores, and Lieutenants Martin Morales and Zeke Torres as well as Chief George Gomez banded together to help their comrade.

Others who attended the sale in support of Ayala included Mayor Joe H. Hernandez and Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., who donated $150.

Also, Vicky’s Restaurant donated enough beans and rice to the chicken plate sale to make 1,000 servings. Other contributors included HEB, Salome’s Groceries, Chuy’s Custom Sports and Embroidery, and Mr. and Mrs. Joe D. Gonzalez.

The cooks who contributed their time and effort were Leo Ruiz, Edward Ruiz, Frank Salazar, David Ayala, Oscar Leal, Sr., Lee Treviño, Det. Flores, Fire Captain Raul Zuniga, and Police Chief Gomez.

Acting as servers were Ernie and Rosie Ruiz, Kevin and Deidre Ruiz, Olga Ayala and family, Lisa, Joshua and Jacob Ruiz; Lola Duran, Irene Moody, Senaida Victoria Rodriguez, Nati Ayala, Mickey Alvarez, Virginia Rodriguez, Veronica Flores, Oralia Flores, Susan Lopez, Nora Gonzalez, Tita Bejaran, Mari Bejaran, Amanda Luevano, and Karmina Castillo.

“I want to give a big thank you on behalf of the entire Ayala family to all of our family, friends and co-workers who volunteered. Another big thank you to all our local businesses for their donations and our community for coming out to support us during this time,” Ayala said. “We do not have enough words to express our gratitude. Thank you for all your words of encouragement and especially your prayers. God bless.”

To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the June 29 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2011/06/28/community-shows-support-for-officer-with-cancer/

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