The Meadow Ridge Football Association is teaming up with others in Greater Vancouver to raise money for a Maple Ridge family that recently lost its mother.
Kelly Sandoval passed away on March 19.
A month before, she was struck by a pickup truck after pushing one of her son’s out of its path.
On Feb. 1, the driver of a black pickup left a parking stall, backed into a parked vehicle, then drove forward into a restaurant drive-through lane at 240th Street and Dewdney Trunk Road in Maple Ridge.
The truck then collided with barricades, jumped the curbed drive-through lane and came to a stop against an unoccupied bus stop, police said.
Sandoval and her six-year-old son were in the truck’s path. She pushed her son out of the way, but was hit and pushed against a fence at the McDonalds drive through.
She sustained an injured leg. The boy had a bump on his head.
A 34-year-old Mission man was arrested the day of the incident and released on a promise to appear in court.
Police are still investigating.
Afterwards, a gofundme page was started to help Sandoval while she recovered from her injury.
“It is unimaginable that a short while later, Kelly was taken from them,” said Danette Grimason, with the Meadow Ridge Football Association.
Sandoval is survived by her husband, Eddie, and sons Tyson, 16, Keenan 13, Donte 10, Emmitt, 5, and stepchildren Fabian and Vianna.
“Kelly’s’ eldest son Tyson is a member of the Meadow Ridge Knights Football Association alumni. She and Eddie were familiar faces at practices and games, cheering for Tyson and his team. Kelly was and is part of our Knights family,” Grimason said.
“Kelly was an exceptionally compassionate person and always happily put the needs of others ahead of her own. She was a regular fixture in her community and could frequently be found working with children’s sports and volunteering at her sons’ school,” reads her obituary.
“Kelly had a special affinity for Mexico, having met her husband in Puerto Vallarta, and enjoyed visiting extended family in Mexico whenever she could. However, nothing surpassed Kelly’s passion for motherhood and her devotion to her husband and sons. Her gracious character, kind-hearted spirit and the boundless love she had for her family will be immensely missed by those closest to her as well as the broad community who loved and admired her.”
The football association is hosting a fundraiser in honour of Kelly Sandoval and in support of the family on April 28 at the Ranch Pub and Grill. Tickets are $25 and include a buffet dinner and beverage.
• Tickets are available at MRFAsponsorship@gmail.com or christinemac75@hotmail.com. Limited tickets will be available at the door.
If you are unable to attend and wish to support the Sandoval family, there is also a trust set up at TD for the boys. Anyone who wishes to contribute can do so at a TD branch, account number 91040-004-6682946