Midland-based non-profit organization Fix West Texas (FWT) had a huge supporter in the late Veronica Sanchez, and the 19-year-old was remembered immensely at the group’s fourth annual golf tournament on Aug. 22. Veronica was fatally shot by a co-worker at a fast food restaurant in early 2022.
“Forever with us in spirit,” FWT wrote in an Aug. 22 Facebook post. “We see her deep love for animals through her Mom’s dedication to our local pets in need.”
KMID 2 reports that Jennifer Sanchez remembered her teen daughter as an animal lover who fed stray cats and kittens daily and had rescued nine felines in nearly a decade’s span. Per the station, it was that sense of compassion that prompted the young woman’s mother to work closely with FWT.
“Veronica stood for what Fix West Texas stands for, caring for all these homeless animals,” Jennifer told KMID. “She was an advocate for so many years even when she was only 19 … She was really born for animals. So, it was the right thing to do to honor her memory. I know she’d be honored to be a part of this.”
FWT’s Beth Meeks told KMID that the money from the Fourth Annual Big Swing Golf Tournament goes toward the organization’s capital campaign, as well as the construction of a new permanent location on Highway 191 between Odessa and Midland. Meeks said there was a hole on the course that honored Veronica.
“She (Veronica’s mom) got a ton of donations in honor of Veronica so it’s just a great partnership to have; her daughter loved the cats and now Jennifer is just carrying that torch on for Veronica,” Meeks told KMID.
According to FWT’s website, the organization makes it its mission to boost the quality of life for the pets and people of West Texas by providing affordable preventative care, adoption services, and forging community partnerships.