Shine for Alfredo

Alfredo is originally from Rio De Janiero, Brazil. As a young man he was an economics scholar and aspired to get involved in politics and help the struggling Brazilian economy at the time. His plans changed course with new leadership in the country. He decided instead to move to the U.S. and start a new life for himself by starting his own shoe shining business in the Hartford area.

Over the last twenty years, Alfredo has had countless customers in many different businesses throughtout the greater Hartford community providing his shoe-shining services.  This has given us the opportunity to get to know him.   He is just not our "shoe shiner guy".  Between the jokes and laughs and genuine happiness he brings to the businesses, he has really become part of the team, and family for that matter.

Alfredo has recently been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerolis (ALS). Also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease, ALS is a progressive neurological disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As a result, he had to cut back his business from visiting 8-10 businesses a day before his illness and now only able to get to about 2, at best, now.

Alfredo and his wife, Dayse have two bright and talented children who attend Naugatuck High School and are both in the top 5% of their class. His Daughter, Danielle,17, is a senior. She participates in Jazz band, Choir, theatre, and tutors in her free time. Danielle just got accepted into Williams College where she will attend next fall. His son, Jonathon, 16, is a junior. He also very musically inclined as a member of the Jazz Band as percussion major as well as the choir. He would eventually like to study music as well as chemical engineering in college.

The estimated “cost of illness” per patient per year totals an estimated $63,942 of expenses.  We ask that you make a pledge to help Alfredo and his family defray the loss of income and other out-of-pocket expenses.  It is our hope to provide him and his family with financial comfort and also hopefully raise enough money so he can go on a  nice vacation while he can still enjoy it.

Anyone who knows Alfredo likes and admires him.   His optimisim  and faith is truly an inspiration to us all. He is determined not to let this disease ruin his shining outlook on life.

This fundraiser is our way of giving back.

So, if Alfredo has ever revived an old pair of shoes, made you laugh, or just brightened your day with his genuine smile and greeting, we ask you to make a pledge to help him and his family.