EDINBURG — Ever since moving back to the Rio Grande Valley in 2003, the Martinez family of Edinburg has been the epitome of generosity and giving back to the community. Fidencio, a native of Harlingen, and Elizabeth Martinez for the past two decades have done charity work of all types for local churches, schools, nonprofits and on their own.
Giving back through clothing donations, collecting toys for children, giving out free meals and even dressing up as Santa Claus, Fidencio — a radio DJ who has worked from Dallas to Chicago — said he also offers his services for free to churches or families that can’t afford to have one for their quinceañera.
Working with stars like Selena Y Los Dinos, A.B. Quintanilla and Ludacris, it’s safe to say that Fidencio and his wife are not just staples in the Hidalgo County area, Mexico and even in Dallas, but pillars of the community.
“It started years ago, I was inspired by Selena,” he said. “For many years, we started doing a thing called School is Cool and we encouraged kids to stay in school and not drop out. After she passed on, I thought to myself, ‘Let me go and help out the schools.’ And I would do dances … And one day I realized that the kids were poor and didn’t have it very good at home.”
But everything changed in 2019.
Fidencio was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and as a result has had to take a step back from charity and working which has caused a domino effect of problems for the family, financially and mentally with their home beginning to show major signs of wear and tear since.
“We just love giving back to the community and helping our people but we’re in a position where we can’t anymore,” Fidencio said. “I think about it a lot but maybe next year’s a better year. As long as I have (my family) because they’re really the motor that keeps me going. They don’t let me down. They see that I’m sick, one of them will always be there with me, keeping me company.”
The Martinez family consists of Xitlali, 17, Belicia, 14, Alden, 12, and Ethan, 9, four children of proud parents who instilled principles like unselfishness and kindness in their kids.
Those values were repaid tenfold back to Fidencio, who’s being cared for by his family. It’s a gesture that shows the leadership by example he and Elizabeth created, and can now experience it when they need it most.
“It’s important to give back and it will probably inspire that person to give back to others as well,” Alden said. “I think it will help spread joy across the community and eventually we’re all gonna have some joy in us to give back.”
Xitlali, a senior at South Texas ISD, is set to graduate in the spring and has an interest in graphic and fashion design. She hopes to one day be able to design clothes that are affordable for people in poverty.
Belicia, a freshman also at STISD, is still figuring out what she wants to study but has a gift for cooking and baking. She hopes in the future to open a shelter to provide free meals to those in need.
“My kids don’t think about themselves, they think more about other people,” Fidencio said Tuesday, getting emotional. “I asked them what they want for Christmas and they said they don’t want anything. The youngest one said, ‘I’m going to make a wish and go to a fountain.’ I said ‘What do you want to wish for?’ and he said, ‘I want your cancer to go away.’ He pays attention, he’s always thinking.” With Fidencio recently DJing for free at his oldest daughter’s homecoming dance to raise money for other school events, Elizabeth said he needed a chair to sit down during the show, something he never asked for and a signal of his condition worsening.
“Nobody knows I have cancer … I don’t want anybody to know what I’m going through but I know eventually everybody is going to know. There’s been days where I’m doing a benefit (DJ set) and I’m just terrible — throwing up backstage, spitting out blood, but I’m still going,” Fidencio said. “But in my 40 years of DJing, I have never sat down. But Friday night I did sit down. I feel so weak now but I guess not everybody lasts forever.”
Fidencio has not been to the doctor in 10 months and has not been able to purchase medication due to how expensive it is and other bills adding up.
Doing all they can to pay the bills and provide for their children, Fidencio still picks up DJ gigs when he is healthy enough and Elizabeth sells plates of food to bring in any additional income as well.
“It’s funny that this would happen to me and I would be on this end (of needing help),” he said. “I’ve done so many things and now I’m at a point where I don’t know what to do.”
Having all their family in Dallas or Mexico, the Martinez family looks forward to another year of Christmas with the tradition of cooking and baking all together.
Not asking for anything other than to be together, the family could use any help sent their way for bills, medical assistance and medication.
The United Way of South Texas is collecting contributions for the family, which will receive 100% of all donations. You can help them by calling the United Way of South Texas at (956) 686-6331 and ask about the Spirit of Christmas campaign.
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