The Loperenza family accepts the $15,000 that Morgan Hill's Parrot Heads In Paradise raised for them. (Photo by Steven M. Stratton)
When the Santa Clara County chapter of Jimmy Buffet’s Parrot Heads In Paradise learned about the plight of Dominic Loperenza, a 7-year-old Morgan Hill boy who had been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, the charitable foundation knew they had found a cause.
Last July, Loperenza received depressed skull fracture injuries after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle without a helmet. Lead by Michael and Jana Castelan, the Parrot Heads In Paradise mobilized to help Loperneza’s family pay for his escalating medical bills.
“We were just so, so sad to hear about the accident. This could be any of our kids, at any time,” said Marylin Dubil, founding member and secretary for the Parrot Heads. “This is what we were looking for; we needed a purpose. We wanted to help someone. This touched everybody’s hearts; everybody wanted to help.”
They contacted local businesses for donations and organized a hugely successful raffle and auction during last September’s Taste of Morgan Hill. Specialized Bicycle Components, located in Morgan Hill, was the major contributor to the effort, donating eight bicycles and 50 bicycle helmets for the raffle.
Though the Parrot Heads’ original goal was to raise $5,000 for the Loperenza family, an outpouring of support from the community helped them triple that goal.
At a gathering of friends and family at the Poppy's Fish, Poultry & More restaurant in downtown Morgan Hill on Wednesday night, the Loperenza family was presented with a check for $15,000 from the Parrot Heads.
“You talk about a kid that tugs at your heartstrings. Here’s this 7-year-old that just was in this incredibly horrific accident. He received major brain injuries, but he’s trying and he’s battling back,” said Michael Castelan. “The community came out and really just gave their hearts. There were some phenomenal companies here, the biggest of all being Specialized Bicycles, who made these incredible donations.”
The Loperenza family, who has lived in Morgan Hill for 11 years, has been bowled over by the response from the local community.
But for Dominic’s father, David Loperenza, it’s been a bittersweet experience. Immediately after the accident, doctors had warned the Loperenzas that Dominic might not survive, and if he did, he might never regain his physical or mental abilities. Considering the extent of his traumatic brain injuries, Dominic is doing well.
“He’s doing just incredible. We’re less then three months since the day of the accident, and he’s walking, and he’s talking,” said Loperenza. “There are going to be deficits, but even if he didn’t progress any further then where he is right now, we’re just thrilled. I really can’t thank the community enough,” said David.
Though much of Dominic’s physical ability has improved over the last few months, he is still having extensive physical and cognitive difficulties as a result of the accident. At the event Wednesday night, Dominic was walking around and playing with his two brothers, Donovan 13, and Daylen, 10. Still, he shuffled on his left leg, and preferred to use his left arm.
“For the short time that it has been, he has regained a significant amount of his physical mobility. But, there are some basics that we are still very much working on. We’ve got a ways to go before he’s able to go back to school,” said Kimberly Loperenza, Dominic’s mother.
Dominic’s recovery is ongoing, and this money will help his family cover the cost of his extensive medical care.
His mother and father drive him to Valley Medical Center three times a week. They see a mass of specialists that have Dominic on a regime of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychological therapy and physical medicine.
“We have so many doctors,” said Kimberly.
Sheryl Loperenza, Dominic’s grandmother, expressed her heartfelt thanks to the community after the $15,000 check was given to the Loperenza family at Poppy’s.
“The compassion we’ve seen in the community has restored our faith in humanity. You don’t realize. It always happens to somebody else’s family, and when it happened to yours, you realize that you really do need people,” said Sheryl.
“I moved here about 11 years ago, from San Jose. And you know, in a big town like that, you’re not going to get this compassion and hometown feeling that you do here. It has just been great. It has just been wonderful. Small town living has been good.”
If you’d like to make a donation to Dominic Loperenza and his family, contact:
“Dominic's Friends,” Children's Garden, 610 E. Dunne Ave, Morgan Hill, CA, 95037 Phone: 408-778-1977.
Morgan Hill businesses that donated money and goods to help Dominic Loperenza:
Specialized Bicycle Components, Guglielmo Winery, La Pooch Dog Grooming, Pump It Up jump House Parties, Valley Orchids, Maurizio's Restaurant, Glory Days, Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn, Cinelux, Royal Clothiers, Rosy's at the Beach.
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