Photos: 'Ecstatic' Paleta Vendor Receives Check For $384,290
By Stephen Gossett in News on Sep 21, 2016 8:36PM
Paleta vendor Fidencio Sanchez—perhaps the world’s most unlikely viral sensation—finally received on Monday an oversized check from GoFundMe for the total sum of his received donations: a whopping $384, 290. The ceremonial presentation took place at Paleteria Poncho in Chicago (2513 S. Pulaski Rd).
Translating for Fidencio, campaign co-creator Joel Cervantes Macias said Sanchez—whose fundraiser drew international attention and became the largest GoFundMe in Illinois history—was “ecstatic.”
“He wants to give thanks to the community and the whole world—everyone who has given to this fund,” Macias said. “He thanks everybody and most of all thanks god.”
Macias said the attention was “kind of surreal.” “I’m really touched by how the whole world came together for our little community, Little Village.”
Macias began the campaign with a goal of raising $3000 for Sanchez, a paleta vendor he passed by happenstance. He was struck by the 89-year-old’s indomitable work ethic—pushing his cart well after a man of his age should be required to work. The campaign ended up netting $384,290 from 17,447 individual donations.
Salvador Lopez, of Robson and Lopez law firm, which is assisting Sanchez pro bono, said they have taken steps to make sure Sanchez is not taken advantage of. “First and foremeost, we wanted to ensure that the procedure of him receiving the funds is a smooth one,” Lopez told reporters. “With all the good human stories also comes attempts to scam and fraud.”
It's actually not entirely clear how much Sanchez will receive in the end, as GoFundMe's collection fees differ between domestic and international donations; and the company has not disclosed how much money was generated here and how much was gathered from abroad. But assuming Sanchez's tax lawyers and financial planners help manage the asset well, the family will covered for a long, long time. And the generosity he inspired will not be soon forgotten either.