Fathers & Sons has agreed to donate a percentage of the sales of tornado-damaged vehicles at its Memorial Avenue Volkswagen and Kia dealership.
Juan Guerrero consoles his daughter, Ibone, 15, in their hospital room at Baystate Medical Center last week, a day after Angelica Guerrero was killed in a tornado trying to shield Ibone.WEST SPRINGFIELD – A scholarship fund to help Fabiola and Ibone Guerrero, who lost their mother, Angelica F. Guerrero, in the June 1 tornado, is being spearheaded by a Union Street businessman.
Angelica Guerrero, 39, saved the life of 15-year-old Ibone by shielding her in a bathtub during the tornado, which caused their Merrick neighborhood apartment house to collapse around them.
Eighteen-year-old Fabiola, who just finished her first year at Holyoke Community College, was not at home when the twister hit.
Victor E. Thomas Jr., who owns Ruggers Rugby and Soccer Supply, has started The Angelica Guerrero Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Holyoke Community College Foundation. Contributions may be sent to the HCC Foundation at 303 Homestead Ave., Holyoke, MA 01040.
"I feel very blessed that my store was spared and my employees were safe,” Thomas said of his business at 121 Union St.
Although he did not know the family, who lived at 667 Union St, Thomas said he feels a civic duty to help out.
“It is a touching story. You can’t help but feel those two girls could take this as a gift from their mother and be inspired by it or this could really damage them,” Thomas said.
Fathers & Sons will also donate a percentage of the proceeds from its sales this month of cars damaged by the tornado at its Memorial Avenue Volkswagen and Kia dealerships. Vehicles have sustained dents, dings and scratches because of the tornado, according to Fathers & Sons president Damon S. Cartelli.