Locals throughout Yuma County raise funds for victim of shooting and arson
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – After 31-year-old Leticia Villareal died, people throughout the community came together to sell merchandise to raise funds for her family.
Multiple local businesses, like Crazy Earl’s and Brewers, are joining in on the support to raise more funds. In just the last week, Crazy Earl’s raised around $18,000 for Villareal’s child’s future.
“It’s horrible, and yet everyone’s first instinct to, ‘How can we help?’ So in that sadness, there’s a little glimpse of joy of how kind people still are today,” said Crazy Earl’s owner Natasha Heredia.
Tisha Lorona, a friend and manager of Villareal, shares how she reacted to hearing the news.
“Sometimes, I think you don’t really realize how much a person means to you until they’re not there for you anymore. She was a hard worker, and she’s going to be missed by everybody at work, and all of her friends,” Lorona says.
The group is selling merchandise with Villareal’s greeting, “Hey Babe.”
Lorona shares why it’s important to help out.
“Her son has a mom that was taken from him too soon, and he needs to know that there are a lot of people that love him and lost his mom and that they’re here for him even though she’s not here anymore. We’re going to do anything we can to help him,” Lorona said.
To help donate money for her son’s future, you can email crazyearlsyuma@gmail.com. There are also donation boxes at several businesses such as Brewers.
Nickkie’s Chicki Farm has a raffle going to June 21. There is also a GoFundMe which you can find HERE.