Friends and family band together to raise money for victims' funerals

Car washes and a softball tournament have already been planned to generate funds to pay for funerals for the victims of the six-victim homicide Friday night in Yuma.

"The community is pitching in," said Tracy Ortiz, a close friend of Adrienne Heredia. "It's so awesome the way everyone is helping out."

Heredia and her four young children were found dead in their home, 2037 E. La Mesa St., Friday night. Luis Rios, Heredia's boyfriend, was found shot in the back yard of the residence.

Those wishing to donate money can do so through the Adrienne Heredia and Her Little Angels fund. The account is through the Bank of America: the account number is 004370472199 and the routing number is 122101706.

"We've already gotten $1,200, and that's in about a half an hour after the account was opened," Ortiz said Monday morning.

Another fund, under the same name, has been set up at AEA Federal Credit Union.

A memorial at the corner of Barbara Avenue and La Mesa Street has quickly grown in size as family and friends have added items to it. The memorial has messages of hope and grief, candles, photos and even a box of Chips Ahoy cookies.

A family photo with Adrienne flanked by her four children adorns the top of the memorial.

"It's not easy for any of us," Ortiz said.

There was still no word Monday on when funerals might be held for the victims. Ortiz said all of the funds raised would go toward the funerals and any excess would be donated to Amberly's Place.

The first benefit car wash starts at 9 a.m. today at Frank's Custom Wheels, 816 S. 4th Ave., Ortiz said. On Wednesday, a 9 a.m. wash will be at Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, 2401 S. 4th Ave., and another will be held Friday at Frank's Custom Wheels.

"We'll wash until we can't wash anymore," Ortiz said.

Final details on a Thursday wash had not been worked out, Ortiz said.

Over the weekend, a benefit softball tournament and barbecue dinner is scheduled in Somerton. The dinner will be around 6 p.m. in between the softball games, Ortiz said.

Crisis intervention grief counseling will be available at Gwyneth Ham Elementary School, 840 E. 22nd St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, according to information from Yuma Elementary School District 1. The murder most affects the neighborhood that includes McGraw School, Gwyneth Ham Elementary School and Gila Vista Junior High School, according to Peggy Lund, director for family and community support services for Yuma Elementary School District 1.

"At McGraw and Gila Vista, we have provided counseling (Monday) and will (Tuesday) morning," Lund said. "Thursday, we'll have open counseling for anyone who thinks they need it, whether students or families. An event like this is so traumatic, it is especially difficult for the children."

Lund said the schools had been receiving calls for counseling. She did not say where the children went to school but said they likely would have used those schools based on the area where they lived.

For more information about counseling, people can call 502-4300.

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Jeffrey Gautreaux can be reached at jgautreaux@yumasun.com or 539-6858.