Last Thursday on Christmas Eve, a 14 year old Bridgeport boy was shot and killed while running errands for his mother. Luis Colon is now being remembered by this memorial outside a barber shop on the corner of Lee Avenue and State Street.
Even though this tragedy happened 25 miles up I95, the Greenwich community has come together once again to help support a family in need.
“This week, I put out a few calls and within 2 hours, I raised about $2,000.” said Joe Kaliko.
“She doesn’t have to worry about the funeral expense, or after it’s over, where is her next meal coming from. Whatever she needs,” said April Barron.
April Barron heard about this terrible loss and contacted the Need Clearing House. She worked with the organization in the past and knew it could help Colon’s mother.
“I also lost my son to a shooting in Norwalk, so I can relate to what she’s going through,” said Barron.
Joe Kaliko of the Needs Clearing House says Colon’s mother Solmarie Rivera came to Bridgeport from Puerto Rico about a year and a half ago and had been living in a shelter for most of that time. Rivera works as an aide in Greenwich and it was just recently that she saved up enough money to move into an apartment with her three sons. Colon was the youngest of his brothers.
“I met her and her boys. Very, very lovely lady,” said Barron.
“The community down here in Greenwich is generous as usual, very understanding, and feel sad about this tragedy,” said Kaliko.
Kaliko says Greenwich residents have helped raise $2,500 so far. You can help this family by visiting www.theneedsclearinghouse.org, or by sending a check with Luis Colon in the memo line to The Needs Clearing House P.O. Box 7621 Greenwich, CT 06836.
