10-23-2024 4:04am

Following Serious Accident, Community Is Asked To Rally To Help Nico

Lesley Misko Editor

by Lesley Misko

When a problem needs solving, Boyertown area citizens traditionally rally together to solve it. Last year the Boyertown Area Historical Society rallied to save the town’s Halloween parade, and for two years they have produced the best-ever event for the community.

Now, when a serious accident occurred during this year’s parade, community members rallied to save a young boy. Nico Rizzo, the eight- year-old son of Jessica and Jason Rizzo, was seriously injured while riding on his football team’s float.

Abby Mackey, a family friend whose son plays ball with Nico, describes the accident: “One of my son's teammates, Nico, had a traumatic accident at Saturday night's Boyertown Halloween Parade. What was meant to be a fun night for the football team to enjoy together took a quick and traumatic turn for all of those involved! As Nico reached down to grab a piece of candy, he quickly became trapped under the wheels of his float's trailer. No one exactly saw what happened; but we do know that he bent over.”

“With tremendous community support and assistance who all rushed to our aide, we were able to get Nico immediate help and care. People came; the trailer stopped moving because people screamed. They managed to lift the trailer off him and pull him out. Nico was surrounded by his coaches and community members as he awaited medical attention,” continues Mackey.

Nico was taken by ambulance to Lehigh Valley hospital where he underwent surgery for a broken femur. In about six months he will need additional surgery to remove the rod that was inserted. As of Monday evening, with cuts, bruises, and swelling, Nico was still under observation in the Intensive Care Unit. “The trauma unit has been angels in taking care of him. While we hope that this will be the extent of his injuries, it is a major recovery period for both him and his family, aside from the trauma he has already endured,” Mackey shares.

Mackey would like the community to know that Nico’s family is “extremely thankful for everyone's prayers and well wishes.” They ask that people “keep the prayers coming!” They know that recovery will offer many challenges, including the stairs in Nico’s home.

Nico loves all things sports-related, and it will be challenging for him to have to sit on the sidelines for the present time. He was upset that his team Jersey had to be cut at the accident scene. A new jersey is in the works.

To help the family deal with Nico’s recovery, Mackey has created a Go Fund Me page on-line. She explains: “I set-up this page to help Nico and his family and surround them with love and the support they need to get Nico back to being an eight-year-old boy looking to have fun with his friends.”

“This money will be used to help offset any medical expenses, time off work that is needed, and other costs they may incur so that their full focus can be on Nico's recovery. He will need many items like a walker and a wheelchair and physical therapy. His mom is a single parent and she works as a hairdresser, so when she cannot work, she is not paid,” Mackey adds.

So far, Go Fund Me donations continue to grow, making Mackey proud of the community’s willingness to rally to help Nico.” We’re reaching out to our community asking for support and assistance to his family during this incredibly difficult time. Please consider donating …. Every contribution no matter the size will make a significant difference,” concludes Mackey.

To donate, click here.