Go-Fund Me for Xander Hendricks (8 year old who was killed)

JoeyD23

#utvunderground
Jan 9, 2009
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Xander Hendricks was the 8 year old son of Melissa and Brandon Hendricks from San Clemente who was killed on Saturday. He sounds like he was a really sweet kid.

Melissa is still hospitalized and it sounds serious. Her family has set up this go-fund me page to help cover costs

https://www.gofundme.com/thehendriks5

Here's the Facebook page of the Church where Xander went and his father worked at as a Pastor.

Pacific Coast Church
 

NIKAL

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2012
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Thanks for posting up. I hope the off-road family will step up and help this family in their time of need. Their Church is clearly supporting them, which is awesome! I saw San Diego's KUSI Channel 9 news last night, did a short segment about the accident and shared the GO Fund Me page too.

Just reading what people were saying about Xander,and his parents was making me tear up at work. To the point I needed to quit reading it in the office. This kid at only 8 years old had an impact on so many people, its amazing!

Skip lunch today and send your lunch money to Xander!
 
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jajl22

Active Member
Jun 5, 2015
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Very powerful stuff, hard to read as a father myself really hits home.

I love the fact that they have already exceeded their goal and there are names and companies from the off road community scattered up and down the list of donators.
 
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dkiewicz

Space Cadet - UTVUnderground's La Familia
Nov 28, 2009
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Would be nice to see if Fast Aid can do a little bit to help out. So sad. Life is fickle, enjoy it while you can. RIP little man. Speedy recovery to Melissa too.
 

george.felix

George
Jan 11, 2015
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Houston, Texas
Was difficult to share on my page thru the tears. Knowing is one thing but seeing the boy just flushed every bit of Baja dust out of my eyes. Joey I think this belongs on the Desert Racing Forum for guys who were there.
 

JoeyD23

#utvunderground
Jan 9, 2009
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A heart wrenching post from the father of Xander Hendriks. It sounds like Xander was one amazing young man, I can tell he was walking in his fathers footsteps.

Brandon Hendriks


On June 4, in Ensenada, Mexico, a beautiful, fun, family day meant to be spent enjoying time with our friends whom we were there visiting turned into the most horrific nightmare. Before heading to the beach we decided that it would be fun for the boys to see the start of the Baja 500 off road race. When we got there we walked up to the second turn after the starting line (they release one vehicle per minute), and after seeing a few trucks drift around the turn and almost lose control I wanted to take my family somewhere safer to watch for a little longer. The boys were loving it so much we couldn’t leave yet. So we asked how we could get to the straight dirt part instead of this area with such quick turns. We were given directions to go under the bridge and follow a path that would lead us to be able to sit on the side of the riverbank where we’d be safe and able to watch the racers below. As we walked under the bridge and out the other side I realized that we were near where the racers drop from the street level down into the riverbed. While trying to hurriedly make our way though that section a driver failed to navigate the turn and slid off the track and into the riverbed, running over my wife and oldest son Xander in the process. My wife sustained major injuries to her leg, foot, head, arm, and back for which she was hospitalized and will need ongoing care. My son Xander died.

Xander was a ray of sunshine from day one. Though he was born two weeks late, at 10.5 pounds, after two days of labor, he was eager to meet the world and so curious. He did not want to be in his crib and would only sleep on his mom’s chest. His desire to constantly cuddle did not wane. He loved his family, friends, teammates, classmates, church, and school. I’ve never met a child so curious about not only the obvious things of life, but the inner workings of things unseen. At his request we spoke of gravity, photosynthesis, theology, psychology and other topics far beyond his years. He also had a contagious passion for Jesus and would often become concerned about how many people he would meet that didn’t know who Jesus was. Once on a plane the person sitting next to him asked who his favorite super hero was. Xander’s response was quick, “Jesus!” The man furled his brow and replied, “Well Jesus isn’t real.” Xander has brought up that man many times since then, asking if we could pray that he would learn that Jesus is real. Whether he was surfing, body boarding, skateboarding, playing soccer, fishing, riding his bike, building something, drawing or painting, playing with his brothers, telling jokes, or having deep conversations he found joy in every moment.

These last few days have been the most difficult of my entire life. My son Xander was his brothers’ best friend and hero. Please pray for them as they process through this tragedy. Please pray for my wife as she heals physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Pray for Xander’s classmates, cousins, teammates, friends, and other children who will need to process through this to be able to heal well and completely. Please also remember to pray for the driver and his family and race team as they experience the impact of this tragedy as well. Pray that we would all rest in God’s strength to carry us through. Finally, pray that people who do not know Jesus would hear his name proclaimed and come to know his healing power, love, forgiveness, and peace.

I’ve been so overwhelmed with the love and support of our friends, family, church body, and even from those I’ve never met. Thank you for being the hands and arms of Jesus for us. We will need it for a long time to come. Seeing the church in action, as it was meant to be, is a beautiful thing. Thank you for being beauty in the midst of ashes.

I love you, son. You know that. I miss you so terribly it burns, but I will be with you again one day. 1 Thessalonians 4:13- “And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.”
 

jajl22

Active Member
Jun 5, 2015
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Amazing to me that his father was even able to write this, it definitely hits you right in the feels like a 10lb sledge.
If i was in his shoes i don't know if i would even have the strength to get out of bed.

I see since i last posted they have made a new goal and are well on their way to meeting it.

It is awesome to see how his church, strangers, and members of the off road community have been able to come together and offer support in one of the only ways we can with out directly knowing the family.
 

baja specialist

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2013
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Alpine CA
That post was so hard to read. I have two young boys and it sounded like he was describing my oldest son right down to being so curious about all things including Jesus. I can only hope that his faith in the lord stays strong as it sounds it is, and his family is able to heal in time. It is really nice to hear that he is also asking for prayer on the driver's behalf.

Keep up the good work Joey!!! It makes a difference.
 

NIKAL

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2012
970
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That post was so hard to read. I have two young boys and it sounded like he was describing my oldest son right down to being so curious about all things including Jesus. I can only hope that his faith in the lord stays strong as it sounds it is, and his family is able to heal in time. It is really nice to hear that he is also asking for prayer on the driver's behalf.

Keep up the good work Joey!!! It makes a difference.
I agree about being hard to read. I had to stop and wait until I left the office to finish reading it so I could allow myself to get emotional. Just trying to comprehend and processes what that family is going through hurts my sole. I have been praying for this family since Saturday. I was not even there and I'm having a hard time not thinking about it. I have a 6 year old girl and I love her to death, like I'm sure all you parents do to your kids. Since Saturday I have hugged her and given her more of my attention because of this. We were camping at Silver Strand beach when I read & heard what happened. My heart sunk and I had to put down the phone and do something. My daughter walked up and asked if we could ride bikes over to the Cay's, I did not hesitate, the whole family and some friends got on our bikes and went for a ride. They are not kidding when they say don't take a single moment for granted. Because you don't know if there will be a second one.
 

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