May News
Please Join the Avon Schools and Community to Fund Raise for Lorenzo
AHS freshman Fabrizio Rodriguez is accustomed to journeying far and wide as a competitive soccer player, but his younger brother Lorenzo’s journeys are of a completely different nature. Lorenzo, an engaging 4th grader at Oak Hill School in New Hartford, suffers from respiratory, physical and digestive abnormalities that render him dependent on others for his every need; he has been on a life-long journey of assessments, diagnoses and treatments. Despite extensive attempts, Lorenzo’s condition has never been accurately diagnosed. He is confined to a wheelchair and communicates with the assistance of an eye gaze computer. A determined and tenacious student, Lorenzo loves school and excels in Science and Spanish. In 2010, he earned the Student of the Year award for academic excellence in the face of many challenges.
This year, Lorenzo faces some new challenges and the Avon schools and community have joined to help. Because of his growing size, Lorenzo can no longer travel in a regular vehicle, nor can he be easily transported upstairs in his home. The solution is a handicapped-accessible vehicle and a first-floor bedroom with access ramps in his home. At an estimated cost of $150,000.00, this is well beyond what the Rodgriguez family can afford. The Diversity Lions Club of Hartford, led by Jeffrey Soto, has stepped in to help two of their struggling members, Daniel and Patty Rodriguez, Lorenzo’s parents. The couple, who are not the type to ask for help, was at the end of their rope when the Lions team sprung into action. The Lions are sponsoring a benefit dinner-dance on Saturday, May 25th, at Casa Mia in East Hartford. Over half of the seats have been sold and $22,000.00 in cash donations has been received. In-kind labor and material pledges continue to come in, as well.
Closer to home, Avon Middle School teacher and AHS soccer coach, Patrick Mulligan, heard Lorenzo’s story and stepped in immediately to help a member of the ‘soccer family.’ With help from his Tech Ed students, the soccer team and donations from Sanford and Hawley Lumber, Patrick is planning to build a deck and ramp on the back of the Rodriguez home for Lorenzo. His assistant coach, AHS Latin Teacher Peter O’Sullivan, has also been inspired to help. O’Sullivan and the AHS National Honor Society, which he co-advises, will be hosting a Community Fair on Thursday, May 31, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Roaring Brook Elementary School. They’re calling it the K.A.R.E. Fair (i.e. Kids in Avon Reaching Everyone) and hope it will become an annual tradition of fun for a good cause. This year, all proceeds will benefit the Rodriguez family.
Thanks to many generous people, touched by this big-hearted little boy, his home will better accommodate him, and his future travels will be comfortable and safe.
To help Lorenzo on his journey, you may make a donation by contacting Jeff Soto at jeffsoto1@gmail.com or 860-622-8080. To volunteer labor or materials to the construction project, please contact Patrick Mulligan at pmulligan@avon.k12.ct.us.
Submitted by Susan Rietano Davey
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