Although there is much ado about The Event this weekend as we try and bring as many people into Georgetown South as possible so they can donate to “Reyna’s Children,” we may be losing sight of the woman behind the cause.
Her name is Reyna Torres Alatriste who I watched break down in tears as she realized that her idea of sending her children to Mexico ahead of her so she could fight the cancer here was a ridiculous idea because she would not last any time at all without being able to see her kids, Yarizel (11), Rebecca (10), Marking (5) and Esther (3).
She then decided that she would make it like a vacation where she is taking the children to Mexico to meet their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins while these same people can care for Reyna as she fights the cancer there.
While discussing all this, Marking, Reyna’s little man came running into the bedroom saying his sister had bitten him and she said, Come here, little son while Mommy gives you a kiss that will make it all better. It seemed as she said it that she realized she would not be here much longer to kiss away Marking’s hurts or Esther’s.
Then Yarizel entered the room mad as a hornet saying she would not go to Mexico, that someone had told her they don’t have schools there and Reyna tried her best to bring her around and then Rebecca came in and she was all smiles to be going on vacation with her mom, that she would go anywhere as long as she was with her mom.
Then came the little doll Esther, the one who has had the least time with her and the one most likely to forget her mom. All of this runs through Reyna’s mind as she fights a seemingly losing battle.
She is being helped by the community manager for Georgetown South Meg Carroll who has multiple myleoma, a blood cancer that is incurable. Just as she organizes the largest yard sale ever seen in Georgetown South she also prepares for a bone marrow transplant that will take place on November 15.
Sometimes Reyna tells Meg that she has to stay here and fight and wait for a miracle. Meg told her that miracles can happen anywhere, miracles don’t need chemo.
Miracles can happen in Manassas and in Itzucar de Matamoros, Mexico. In the event that a miracle does not happen, Reyna’s plan is to leave something behind for the children, an inheritance in the form of a bank account opened with money raised at the BIG EVENT.
This is our last chance to help Reyna’s Kids. You all know that this weekend is our 2015 Fall Your Pride Outside.
Our Carnival consists of six moon bounces, an obstacle course, Sno Cones, popcorn and cotton candy, plus face painting. Our Yard Sale consists of more than 60 tables with Furniture, High End Clothing, Christmas decorations, Collector Barbies, Home Décor, Floral Arrangements, Kid’s Clothes, Toys and Scrapbook Material.
We are still accepting yard sale table requests. Our Food Fair features Team Lola’s menu. Ana Reneteria makes all of the food personally to honor her mother Lola who died from breast cancer. Her menu consists of Ceviche, Tinga, Menudo, Posole, Flautas, Frijoles Borrachos, Pupusas, Cupcakes, Pan Dulce, Bebidas, and much more.
We will also have Chicken Pies, Chicharones, Bolivian Saltenas, Fish from Rosalie Corbin and even more. Our Resource Center consists of the following:
The Mexican Consul,
Immigrants First
Novant Health
Manassas City Refuse and Recycling
Manassas City Police,
Manassas City Public Schools
Virginia Extension Service
Village Home Mortgage
BB&T Bank
Farmers Insurance Agency
Hogar Hispano
CareNet Pregnancy Resource Center
Don Bosco Center
Chapel Springs Assemly of God
National Counseling Group
Walgreen’s Flu Shot Clinic
Wells Fargo Bank
Prince William Health District’s Women
Infant and Children’s Clinic
Greater Prince William Community Health Center
In Total Health, Multiservicios Profesionales
New York Life Insurance
We are still accepting small businesses that would like to introduce their products. If you would like to have a yard sale table, be a food vendor at our event, advertise your small business or volunteer to help call the Georgetown South Office at 703-361-4500 or email [email protected].
We have announced our yard sale on all the major websites to bring more people in. Park at the Grant Avenue Shopping Center and look for the signs. Located behind 9238 Taney Rd. Manassas, VA 20110.
If you are still wondering if you should help, stop and think, “What would I do if I only had six months to live and I am leaving four children behind?”
My answer is that I would make sure that I left them something that would help them as they grow and that would be money.
All donations will go to “Reyna’s Children” which will open a bank account in Mexico that the children’s caregiver, whether it is their grandmother or their father, can access as needed to but things for the children such as school uniforms, bedroom furniture, clothing, school supplies, etc.
This will give Reyna peace of mind as she leaves this world. Please consider helping in the best way that you can. Thank you.
–Meg Carroll Community Manager of Georgetown South
