A pair of local fundraisers are planned in the coming days for Juan Jimenez, 78, of Perry, who survived a murderous Oct. 29 assault that left a mother and daughter dead and Jimenez himself critically injured.
A Gofundme page for Jimenez announced an event planned for this Sunday, Nov. 13 to raise funds for Jimenez: “Juan Jimenez Don Juanito . . . still in bad shape. He is in a coma. And still praying for his recovery. . . Sunday, Nov. 13 will be having food, live bands, DJs, jumper houses, popcorn cotton candy and more at 1000 26th St. in Perry.”
The event will start at 9 a.m., with music at noon.
Jimenez is hospitalized at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.
Concerned Perry-area residents are also organizing a one-day co-ed softball tournament Nov. 19 at the Perry little league fields in order to raise money for the victims and survivor of the Oct. 29 tragedy.
“We already have 11 teams signed up and still have room for more teams,” said Ryan Lyddon of Perry, an organizer of the softball tournament. “Come out and play and support the cause!”
Lyddon said teams will be composed of at least three women and seven men. An entry fee of $175 is planned, with an option to pay an additional $25 in order to increase your home run limit from two to five per game, he said.
All proceeds will be split between the family of Lourdes Leake and Melany Berraza, the mother and daughter murdered in the brutal attack, and Juan Jimenez, who survived the assault and remains in a coma.
Lyddon said each team should play a minimum of three games, depending on the final number of entries. Teams should provide their own optic-yellow, 52/300-core softballs, and no metal cleats or no illegal bats will be allowed, he said.
“There will also be a raffle,” Lyddon said. “And we are hoping to get food vendors. We’re here to have fun and help out a family in need. If you’d like to sponsor a team, donate items for the raffle or register your team, please contact Ryan Plumbcrazy Lyddon on Facebook or call 515-205-3884.”
