Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story. It truly means more to us than words can express.

Many of you may be wondering where Mario Prado is. And I say “many” because I truly believe my father has touched more lives than we could ever count. In the restaurant industry and beyond, who doesn’t know Mario? His smile could light up a room, his humor brought people together, and his kindness made everyone feel seen. He is the kind of person who always puts others first, whether as a

father, grandfather, son, or friend. His greatest goal in life was simple: to make sure the people around him were happy.

That’s why what happened in December has been so heartbreaking for our family.

My dad traveled back to his home country, Ecuador, for what we believed would be a life-changing step forward. After 25 years of hard work and building a life here, he had a scheduled appointment with the

U.S. Embassy to finally adjust his status. He left behind his wife and his three children, expecting to return home soon finally with the security and peace he had worked so hard for.

But things didn’t go as planned.

Instead of coming home, he has been unable to return, leaving our family devastated and facing an uncertain future. Overnight, the stability we relied on was gone. My father was not only our provider, but the heart and foundation of our home.

Now, we are doing everything we can to stay strong. He left behind his oldest daughter, who is currently a sophomore in college, and his twin 11-year-old sons in 6th grade, who miss their dad every single day. We are trying to manage daily expenses, school, and life without him, all while navigating an incredibly

complex and expensive legal process to bring him back home where he belongs.

We are asking for your support during this incredibly difficult time. Any contribution no matter how small, will go toward basic living expenses and the legal fees needed to continue fighting for my father’s return.

If you know Mario, you know how much love he has given to others. Today, we humbly ask for that love to be returned to him and to our family.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, your prayers, and for simply taking the time to read our story.