Double tragedy equals Colorado camaraderie

My name is Miguel Hurtado (retired Walmart Associate).

I am also known as Roscoe (President/Founder of The San Luis Valley Theatre Company).

Tragedy hit my family two years in a row and the good people of the San Luis Valley here in Colorado came to our aid not because they were asked but because they felt it in their hearts to do so!

Allow me to elaborate.

YEAR ONE

JUNE 2018 – The Spring Fire took our home up in Forbes Park along with 200 or so others. We lost all belongings other than important documents and our vehicles, two cars and a Suzuki motorcycle (The Suzuki plays an important part in Year Two, but we will get to that.)

I tried not to let my emotions show while at work (Walmart- Alamosa) but apparently my WM Family could see through me.

Roberta – an electronics associate walked up to me with her hand extended and said “Here”. I thought she was handing me something for a customer. She had placed a wad of money in my hand. I asked who this was for and as she disappeared around the corner I heard “YOU”.  Talk about trying to hold back tears

(I thought she didn’t like me). What a magnificent heart she has – the first one to offer aid.

My Walmart Family continued their support – Manager Adam Lopez allowed my wife Diane and I to shop at the store for necessities, i.e., clothing, dishes, microwave and food all totaling over $300, and the management emergency associate fund picked up the tab!

Moreover Lola, personnel manager along with so many other associates that I could not even fathom to guess who else was involved sponsored several fundraisers in support.

Michelle, the Infants Department manager was on a softball team. They won their first championship in 11 years and she convinced her team to donate their winnings to our cause. Wow, talk about Colorado Camaraderie!

YEAR TWO

July 2019 – On my way to work on July 3rd, an auto driven recklessly t-boned my Suzuki motorcycle, crushing my left leg and severing it at the ankle. I was laying on the street bleeding out when (as my memory returns) Captain Maestes, who witnessed the accident took my belt off and strapped it around my left leg to slow the bleeding (quick thinking). Moments later Sergeant Willy Squires replaced the belt with a proper tourniquet. An action the medical professionals at the hospital stated saved my life. Yes, that man is my hero!

Many San Luis Valley Coloradans came to my aid with all sorts of fundraisers. I’ll try and list them.

Valleria Mcadams – Fundraiser at the Fort Garland/Blanca Community Center, over 200 attendees!

Jenene Holcomb – Fundraiser at AllGone restaurant in Fort Garland also over 200 attendees!

Jenene Holcomb, Luis Salazar and Ruthie Brown – Fundraiser at Society Hall in Alamosa with a live play directed by the Vice President of The San Luis Valley Theatre Company Luis Salazar.

Walmart Family – Almost an exact repetition of last year’s tragedy donation events!

Truly,                    

TRAGEDY EQUALS COLORADO CAMARADERIE!

- Miguel Hurtado