Friends and family of the Olivas family gathered at Expressions Salon for a “Cut for a Cause” fundraiser event on Nov. 21, which included a DJ, bake sale, and fun for kids awaiting haircuts. The event is the latest fundraiser following an accident that left Elijah Olivas—the 10-year-old son of Maria and Jason Olivas—in a life-threatening condition on Oct. 20 after he was jettisoned from a vehicle in Nipomo.
There have already been a number of gofundme.com drives and local fundraisers, explained Maria Olivas’ cousin Angelina Perez, who was helping organize haircuts at Expressions Salon as stylists clipped, buzzed, and snipped away. The fundraising efforts have already helped the family immensely, Perez explained, allowing Jason Olivas to stay with Maria and Elijah during the latter’s recovery.
“The father is the only working parent in the family,” Perez said. “So, he gets to tend with the mother and be there, supporting Elijah on site.”
Perez also confirmed that Elijah Olivas is now receiving care in Los Angeles. Olivas was airlifted to Stanford from Marian Medical Center immediately after the accident, Perez said, where he received emergency brain surgery and his mostly severed hand was reattached.
Already though, in the month since the accident, the young boy who enjoys wrestling and other sports, has shown signs of recovery, Perez said.
“I did go a couple times to visit, and when I got to see him last time, he was talking at that point,” she said. “And the parents, when they talk about the community, it’s very surprising for them. This is the first time I’ve seen it done like this, and it’s really amazing.”
Anthony Hidalgo, the owner of Expressions Salon, said his family grew up in the same neighborhood with Maria Olivas, so he has been involved with the fundraising since it began.
A committee of friends and family meet monthly, Hidalgo explained, to plan and execute the various fundraising efforts, which has included a flapjack fundraiser at Applebee’s and a fitness event at the Santa Maria Town Center. His salon was a perfect way to raise awareness and money for the family as well, Hidalgo said.
“We got six girls working here at the salon, so shoot, why not donate three hours to cut and give back?” Hidalgo said. “Might as well start a movement.”
The next event planned is a barbecue, Perez explained, happening on Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 901 N. Railroad Ave., Santa Maria. The meal is a classic Santa Maria barbecue, with chicken, beans, bread, salad, and salsa.
More information is also available at the Facebook group “Stay Strong Elijah,” Hidalgo said, where locals can keep up to date on upcoming fundraisers and the young boy’s recovery.
“The community came together so much on this,” he said. “It’s a 10-year-old boy, so everybody thinks how much they love their kids, so why not pitch in and help out this family?”
This article appears in Dec 3-10, 2015.
