Thank you  for taking the time to read about this fundraiser that our family decided to start to benefit Leo (Lee) Caito. A few weeks ago, Leo was admitted into the hospital with pneumonia and tested positive for covid. It was not sounding good for what seems like forever and the daily reports my poor Niece, Gabbie was receiving from the Doctor were getting worse by the day. From several ups and downs, changes in status varying at times from minute to minute, Pneumonia, breathing treatments, Bipap machine, oxygen dependency, issues with organs, discussing going on a ventilator in the morning, blood clots, just to name a few; you do not quite feel the gravity of this virus, deep in your gut, until it hits way to close to home. All happening to your loved one and they are alone; you cannot see them, often you are not even able to speak to them. You are left to sit by the phone and wait for a call, that is not guaranteed to come, from one of the Doctors and/or nurses to receive the latest status. Simply put, Horrific. Thankfully, due to Leo’s strength and determination, coupled with his outstanding team of Doctors and nurses Leo’s reports are starting to sound positive; thank god! A full recovery is the expectation, but there is still quite a road ahead to get there.

Unfortunately, the timing, which at no time would be great, falls during a pandemic that has been ongoing and the restaurant industry, which is Leo's career, has been hit hard. With a staggering 78% reduction in hours and jobs in your chosen industry for 30+ years, it is a scary predicament to be in. While the pandemic has been in full swing, regardless of the risk and vulnerability to exposure, Leo has continually accepted any offer he has been presented with for work, even if it was only a few hours, wherever, whenever he could. He did what he could to get out there and earn a living versus sitting home and staying on unemployment, even though it would mean that he would lose unemployment without any idea of when he would be able to pick up a few more hours, whether a week or several months, still, that is exactly what he did. He would be janitor, server, bartender, anything but lazy and unemployed. A work ethic, this guy has never lacked.

 As the pandemic is winding down, restrictions are easing up and we are starting to return to some symbol of normal, Leo is hit with covid. While he says, "I'm fine" and he does not need help as he is a humble man, we felt that he has been dealt a tough enough hand this year and we needed to step in to help. From losing the mother of his children, his Dad, jobs due to the pandemic and now fighting a long and tough battle with covid, we think he deserves a little reprieve from the burdens of life so he can focus on getting healthy. While he is nearing the end of his journey with covid, he still has a bit to go until he can come home from the hospital. The doctors that have been taking excellent care of Leo have instructed him to remain off work for a minimum of a month once he is released. In the restaurant business, you don't work, you don't get paid!

We have no intentions of making Leo rich with this fundraiser, rather give him a little extra to pay the bills for a few months so he can be at ease. As mentioned, he is humble natured, and he did not ask us to do this; however, we felt it necessary and hope you can help. We understand that this is a tough time for all, not just Leo, so please do not feel any pressure - in ANY way.

Thank you again for taking the time to read about Leo and we hope everyone stays safe and healthy!


5/25/2021- Just a little update- this afternoon Leo is being transferred to a rehab facility instead of being discharged to go home as he is still dependent on oxygen. While there has been vast improvement, his lungs are not strong enough for him to be sent home with oxygen because the supplemental oxygen tanks are not strong enough for what he requires at this time. Just another little hurdle for him to get past but from critical care in ICU to a rehab facility means he is going in the right direction, and we will take it!

❤To those that have donated and/or shared this fundraiser for Leo, our family cannot express our gratitude enough. Learning that it will be a bit longer than expected to get him home and healthy, makes us even more grateful that he will have these funds to help along the way! Thank you! ❤