Victor E. Thomas Jr., who owns Ruggers Rugby and Soccer Supply in West Springfield and started a scholarship fund for the daughters of Angelica Guerrero, says he is thankful his store and employes were spared from the June 1 tornado.
WEST SPRINGFIELD – A scholarship fund to help Fabiola and Ibone Guerrero, who lost their mother in the June 1 tornado, is being spearheaded by a Union Street businessman.
The mother, 39-year-old Angelica F. Guerrero, saved the life of 15-year-old Ibone by shielding her in a bathtub during the destruction, which caused their 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, 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 just down the street at 667 Union St., Thomas said he feels a civic duty to help.
“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.
Another neighborhood business, Fathers & Sons, will also be helping with the scholarship.
The automobile dealership plans to donate a percentage of the proceeds from its sales this month of cars damaged by the tornado at its Memorial Avenue Volkswagen and Kia showrooms. Vehicles have received dents, dings and scratches from the tornado, according to Fathers & Sons President Damon S. Cartelli.