SOUTHWICK – Although Kevin Bishop does not know the Mello family, his heart broke when he heard about the medical concerns of fellow Southwick resident Alex Mello.
Mello, 44, was admitted to the hospital Dec. 3 with pneumonia, which quickly turned to sepsis. Mello is now on life support at Baystate Medical Center. Mello’s wife Wendi, and children Madison and Alexandra, are left waiting and hoping for his recovery.
Bishop said when he woke up yesterday and read about the Mello family and saw that a gofundme account was set up for them, he wanted to help.
“I felt I needed to do something,” he said.
Bishop quickly organized a pancake breakfast fundraiser to benefit the Mello family. Set for this Saturday, Dec. 12 at Moolicious Farm from 7-11 a.m., the cost is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and children.
“We will also be accepting donations at this location if you cannot stay for breakfast,” Bishop said.” I have obtained permission from the Mello Family to host the Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser and I am asking all my friends to stop by and support this event,”
Bishop was moved by the words of Mello’s family: “My dad is my other half. I have asked his advice about every important decision I ever made” ~Alexandra; “My dad has the best sense of humor ever. Whenever I hear something funny, he is the first one I call to share it with.” ~Madison; “What am I going to do? He is my rock.” ~Wendi.
This illness has been sudden, unexpected, and completely overwhelming for the Mello family. The gofundme account was set up by family friends because Mello is recently self-employed and in just a few days the medical bills have piled up.
“These bills will continue to grow. We have set up this GoFundMe account with the hope that all of the people that care about Wendi and Alex and their daughters, might help defray the huge expenses casino online of Alex’s health care,” wrote the family’s friends.
Mello is described as an “extraordinary” person who can easily get a smile from everyone in the room. His friends said he was often laughing with his girls and joking he had no idea how he ended up in a house filled with women and foster dogs.
“Gatherings at the Mello house are not generally small, intimate affairs,” states the gofundme text. ”Alex and Wendi like to watch cars fill their driveway as family and friends pour into their house for a get together with plenty of food and laughter. Recently, upon opening their front door, you were overcome by the stench of 40 pairs of girls’ soccer cleats. Why? The Mellos had opened their house to both the JV and Varsity Southwick girls’ soccer teams so the girls could decorate t-shirts for senior day. As each adult entered to pick up a daughter, Alex humorously made sure they understood that the acrid smell did not emanate from his own feet!”
Mello has been described with the following words: micro-biologist, fun loving, soccer coach, logical, golfer, engaging, kayaker, pool shark, founding member of Old Men of Southwick (OMS) soccer team, bright, outgoing, smiley, and good listener.
“Alex and Wendi have brought a lot of joy to our lives and have always been there for anyone who needed help–doors and arms wide open, and no questions asked. Now they need our help,” urged their friends.
Moolicious Farm is located at 258 Feeding Hills Road, Southwick.
