A Go Fund me page for a 42-year-old farm seasonal worker who passed away suddenly in Port Elgin has already raised $20,000, twice the target.
Jose Antonio Coronado died, unexpectedly, on April 21, 2021, of natural causes unrelated to COVID-19.
Connie Vidotto of Port Elgin says he was the sole financial support for his family of 8 in Mexico.
She is one of three concerned volunteers who offer community outreach to Mexican farm workers in the Saugeen Shores area have launched the fundraiser to help the family in Mexico.
Vidotto says since 2016, Coronado's mother and grandmother have been taking care of his 9-year-old son, Brandon, while he worked the growing season in Canada. His epileptic, widowed sister and her two minor children are also part of his household in Mexico. His first wife, who was 6-months pregnant, died in 2015 and Jose Antonio just remarried in December 2020.
The money we raise will be used to provide the necessities of life for them until they are able to manage on their own. Because Mexico is not a GoFundMe-approved country, we have set up an account here in Canada. Donations will be forwarded to an account in Mexico.
The Go Fund me page says donations will enable them to support Jose Antonio's family and help assure other farm workers that they are truly members of our community who can count on support in difficult times.