(Updated with links for donations)
There are hundreds of food businesses vying for orders now, but these particular empanadas might just save a life.
Just as the commissary of Casa Luisa was closing for the day, one of their kitchen staff members suffered a serious stroke. Alvin Abay, 40, was rushed to the emergency room, where he remains in critical condition with an aneurysm.
Calling him “our friend and longtime employee,” Casa Luisa’s chef and owner Jen Gerodias Slagle mobilized to help Abay and his family.
“Alvin has stood by us through the years having started as a kitchen steward in 2017. During this time he has quietly worked and learned, taking on all new challenges given to him. He became a skilled cook and baker, working with us on the opening of numerous restaurant concepts. Since the launch of Casa Luisa, he has once again risen to the challenge, becoming a mainstay in our kitchen producing our empanadas,” Slagle wrote on Casa Luisa’s Instagram page (@casa_luisa). “We humbly ask for your support in assisting Alvin with his medical expenses.”
Slagle, who runs Casa Luisa as a delivery and takeaway business during the pandemic, mobilized quickly to help, taking the unusual step of donating all the proceeds from the business to Abay’s medical care. “We humbly ask for your support in assisting Alvin with his medical expenses. We are accepting direct donations, and in addition we will be donating all proceeds of Casa Luisa sales from last week and the upcoming order dates to his benefit.”
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Slagle reports that the first wave of donations and sales have paid for Abay’s ER expenses. Since he has needed more surgery and ongoing medication and care, however, the appeal is still up. “We are helping support Alvin and his family in every way we can but his medical expenses are mounting. The first wave of donations and sales have paid for his ER expenses amounting to P78,116.08. We are still accepting donations for his ongoing medical expenses for his surgery and other medication.”
Donations are accepted via Alvin’s sister, Marichu Abay Mendoza:
GCash: Marichu M 0919 009 4618
BDO Savings: Marichu A Mendoza 002880118456
Paypal: click here
GoGetFunding: click here
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