Nearly $14,000 raised for Avvento family

Rising freshman at Boyertown who went into cardiac arrest is recovering at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

The support for recovering Boyertown lacrosse player Brendan Avvento is becoming more visible.

T-shirts with a B-Strong logo created to raise money for the Avvento family were distributed Friday and Saturday at Victory Lacrosse in Boyertown with mail orders shipped out late Thursday afternoon.

Avvento was stricken with a sudden cardiac arrest nearly two weeks ago while practicing with his club lacrosse team, Mesa Orange. Avvento, a rising freshman at Boyertown, is recovering in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

“He has a long road ahead of him but he’s a strong kid,” said Cyndi Macaluso, coowner of Victory Lacrosse with her husband, Jason. “He’s got a huge support system behind him with his friends and his family.”

That includes the owners and customers of Victory Lacrosse. Nearly 400 T-shirts were sold during the first round of a spirit sale fundraiser, with 300 being handed out in the store and the other 100 sent by mail.

That Avvento family has been posting updates on Facebook about the progress of Brendan’s physical, occupational and speech therapies as he slowly regains his vital functions.

Scott Avvento, Brendan’s father, posted late Thursday that Brendan had a good day since his older sister, Katie, was able to visit him at CHOP for the first time.

“He was able to focus with his eyes on things, there were plenty of smiles,” Scott Avvento wrote. “He was still dealing with brain storms, but that is what was expected. It’s part of the journey.

“We really appreciate and treasure the #BStrong community that has embraced our family. It is truly beautiful.”

Brendan’s aunt, Andie Avvento Mueller, posted Saturday morning that Brendan is “upset at not being able to form words or being able to move.” However, she is encouraged by the progress of his kidneys and the smiles that lit up his face.

The Boyertown community looks to bring more smiles to the Avvento family. Supporters wearing their #BStrong T-shirts and gaiters will gather for a large group photo Friday at 7 p.m. at Windlestrae to send to Brendan and his family.

One person who plans to be there is Tasha Moyer of Boyertown, who has a daughter who plays lacrosse. She visited the Victory Lacrosse store Saturday afternoon to pick up two T-shirts from the first round of the spirit sale. She also ordered another shirt during the second round, which closed Friday at midnight.

“We’re a lacrosse family and a baseball family,” Moyer said. “My heart just breaks for Brendan’s mom (Heather); it’s like a parent’s worst nightmare. We just want to support them any way that we can. This is the best community there is for sure.”

Items from the second round — T-shirts, gaiters and window clings — will be distributed next week, Cyndi Macaluso said. Victory Lacrosse raised $9,000 through the sale of T-shirts in the first round, Macaluso said. The total for the second round has not been determined.

In addition, a gofundme page started by Jackson Harrington, one of Brendan’s lacrosse teammates, had raised nearly $5,000 through Saturday afternoon.

“He’s best friends with a kid down the street and my son has played with him a couple of times,” said Brenda DePompeo, who also picked up a shirt order on Saturday. “Anything to help the family.”