Sedona Lakes Supports One Of Its Own With Donation, Dedication
HOUSTON, TX (July 6, 2015) – A “community” is considered to be a place where neighbors help each other, sharing a common bond. Sedona Lakes fully lives up to that ideal, stepping in to help ease a tragic situation for — not a resident — but rather, a community partner, Felipe Santoyo, owner of Sli Landscaping.
Four-year-old Felipe Santoyo, Jr., who often joined his father in Sedona Lakes, playing while the elder Felipe worked, was playing kickball with his brother when the unthinkable happened — he was accidentally hit last year by an off-road utility vehicle moving in reverse.
“It was heartbreaking,” said his father, Felipe Santoyo, who has handled landscaping in Sedona Lakes for two years. “The machine is heavy and it hit him on the right side of his face and cheekbone.”
After paramedics stabilized him, young Felipe was taken by helicopter to the hospital where he spent two months recovering from a brain injury that affected his speech and ability to walk.
“His brain was swelling and he had blood on his brain as well,” Santoyo said.
Felipe moved to a rehab facility for two more months where he began intensive therapy work to regain his speech and movement on his left side. He finally returned home in December. Buck Driggers, senior vice president for Landeavor, developer of Sedona Lakes, came to visit soon after. That visit was the inspiration for the events to follow.
“After meeting with Felipe and hearing about the struggle and recovery ahead for Felipe Jr, I thought there must be something we can do to help. Everyone in Sedona Lakes knows Felipe – he and his company have done outstanding work for us,” said Driggers. “How can we pay it forward?”
A plan slowly came together and the surprise was revealed during a regularly scheduled meeting. “Buck and Sedona Lakes have been very good to us,” Santoyo said. “Buck gave me a check for work in Sedona Lakes and then pulled out another check for $5,000 for Felipe.”
The donation, which was used for additional therapy, was not the only way the Sedona Lakes community rallied around the Santoyo family. The development also dedicated a playground in young Felipe’s honor.
“The whole community came out this spring to see how Felipe is doing and cheer him on,” Driggers said. “We installed a plaque onsite naming it the Felipe Santoyo, Jr. Park and Playground.”
Felipe, who turned 4 two days after his accident, is now talking understandably and has taken a couple of steps with the support of others. His therapies are continuing indefinitely.
“He is slowly coming back,” his father said.
For more information on Sedona Lakes, a 535-acre development in Manvel minutes from Highway 288, visit www.sedonalakes.com.
Photo Information
Sedona Lakes Felipe Santoyo Jr Dedication.jpg
Residents of Sedona Lakes came out to cheer young Felipe Santoyo, Jr., the son of community landscaper Felipe Santoyo, and name a playground in his name. Felipe, age 4, was critically injured and spent four months in hospitals after being hit by a recreational utility vehicle last year.
About Sedona Lakes
Sedona Lakes is a 535-acre master-planned community in Manvel near Highway 288 and County Road 101 just south of Pearland. Planned for approximately 900 homes, Sedona Lakes boasts community lakes and trails and borders Mustang Bayou. Residents enjoy an array of amenities and students attend schools in the Alvin Independent School District. The development was purchased in 2013 by Landeavor, LLC. For more information, visit www.sedona-lakes.com.
About Landeavor
Landeavor, LLC is a national real estate development company headquartered in Tampa, FL with offices in Atlanta, GA., Charlotte, NC., Houston and Raleigh, NC. The company specializes in the development of master planned residential and resort communities as principal developers or through joint ventures. Through Landeavor’s distinct capital alliances, Landeavor is uniquely positioned to invest in or develop a variety of planned communities in any stage of development. For more information, visit: www.landeavor.com
Contact
Haunani Shipper
hshipper@totalpr.com
903-433-2526 or 972-415-6002