STERLING – Shaking shatters lives.
That’s the message Rudy and Melissa Delgado want to teach the public about the dangers of shaken baby syndrome, a subject that has touched their lives.
Sept. 29 marks the 2-year anniversary of the death of 8-month-old Xavier Delgado, who died as a result of shaken baby syndrome, according to police and prosecutors.
The boy’s baby sitter, Patti J. Mock, 63, of Rock Falls, is charged with five counts of first-degree murder in his death. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in the Whiteside County Jail on a $1 million bond.
Now, Xavier’s story has become the focus of a campaign launched by the boy’s parents with the help of the Xavier Delgado Awareness Foundation, which they established in March.
The goal of the foundation, Rudy Delgado said, is to not only raise awareness about shaken baby syndrome, but to provide a support system for families affected by it.
“Nobody can imagine what you go through on a daily basis,” he said.
The campaign also honors Xavier’s memory.
“It helps to keep his name alive, helps to build his legacy because he won’t have a chance to do that,” Rudy Delgado said.
The family has had several fundraisers for the foundation, such as selling T-shirts and other items with Xavier’s face and name on them.
The family will host the Xavier Delgado Walk for Awareness/X Games July 30 at the Westwood Sports Complex, 1900 Westwood Drive.
This is the second year for the walk and the first year for the family’s foundation, Rudy Delgado said.
Money raised by the foundation has helped pay for public service announcements on local TV stations and billboards about shaken baby syndrome.
One of the billboards is near Rigler’s Shooting & Fishing on First Avenue in Rock Falls and one is on Avenue G by the Sterling Police Department.
Rudy Delgado said awareness classes should be taught at local hospitals for all parents.
He also would like to see the state require parents and caregivers to watch a video on shaken baby syndrome and sign a contract acknowledging that they’ve seen it.
Car wash Saturday
The Delgado family will host a car wash from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Pete Harkness Auto Group, 2811 Locust St., Sterling.
The cost is $6 per car and $9 for a car wash and Xavier Delgado sticker. Xavier T-shirts also will be available for $12, magnets for $10, and stickers for $3.
All proceeds go to the Xavier Delgado Awareness Foundation.
Second annual Xavier Delgado Walk for Awareness
The Xavier Delgado Walk for Awareness and bags tournament will be July 30 at Westwood Sports Complex, 1900 Westwood Drive, Sterling.
Registration for the walk is from 8 to 8:45 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m. Participants will be given a Xavier Delgado Sports Bottle.
Registration for the bags tournament will be from 11 a.m. to noon, with play starting at noon. The tournament is a blind draw, meaning all names will be put into a box and drawn at random for partners.
You must be at least 21 to play in the double-elimination tournament. The prize money for first and second place will be based on the number of teams.
The cost for the walk and the tournament is $15 each if you register by July 23, and $20 each the day of the event.
There also will be food, beverages, and kids activities.
Order forms can be downloaded at www.xaviersawareness.com. Send the form and money to 1105 Avenue L, Sterling, IL 61081.
Company sponsors for the event also are welcome.
Donations can be sent to The Xavier Delgado Awareness Foundation, Cornerstone Credit Union, 615 W. Third St., Sterling IL 61081 or 1105 Ave L, Sterling IL 61081
For more information, visit the website or call 815-718-0043.