WORCESTER – If you’ve ever been to The Boynton, chances are you’ve run into Manny.
The long-time parking attendant Manuel [“Manny”] has been working for nearly two decades at the popular Highland St. restaurant and its customers are stepping up to help Manny out in a time of need.
A GoFundMe campaign — “Manny’s Surgery!” — has been started for Manny to help him cover hospital and surgery expenses related to the repair of a broken shunt — narrow piece of tubing that is inserted into a fluid-filled ventricle.
The shunt was placed during brain surgery 18 years ago to relieve fluid build-up. Since that surgery, Manny has worked at The Boynton.
The surgery he needs now is scheduled to be done before the end of the summer — and if the necessary money is raised in time, the possibility remains that Manny could have the surgery completed by the end of July.
SEE LINK BELOW TO DONATE
As of 8:30 PM on Friday evening, June 21 — and in less than 24 hours — the campaign had already raised nearly $3,500 of the $5.000 goal. More than 100 people had contributed to the cause. It has been shared over 500 times on Facebook.
Andrea Cruz, who started the GoFundMe campaign, is a close friend of Manny’s and described him as “like a father” to her and said it “means the world” to her to be able to help him out.
Cruz told TWIW that when Manny found out about the fundraiser, he was overcome with emotion.
“I keep reminding him it’s because how much everyone appreciates him for his smile and kindness and genuine happiness,” Cruz said.
In the campaign post, Cruz writes, “[Eighteen] years ago, Manuel had brain surgery because of fluid build-up in his brain. Since then, he has been working nonstop, 24/7, at a meat packing company in the morning and the Boynton Restaurant in the afternoon into the night.Everyone in this community knows his smiling face and kindness as he parks cars all night for the busy restaurant. A recent fall has brought to light the need for another surgery to repair a broken shunt from his previous surgery. He has been out of work for most of this past week and will need to pay hospital and surgery expenses within the month. I’d like to raise some funds to help alleviate the financial burden of another brain surgery, as well as recovery time…”
To make a donation to Manny’s surgery, please click the link below:
Follow us on The016.com, the social network for Worcester and you!
