Family of Missing Fishermen Asks for Donations to Fund Private Search

By James Lee

It has been just over three weeks since the Erik capsized in the Sea of Cortez south of San Felipe in Baja Mexico leaving seven Bay Area families to mourn for their loved ones.

After the U.S. Department of Defense declined the families’ request to send expert divers to aid in the search and rescue due to lack of resources, a number of fundraisers started popping up in the Bay Area to assist families in completing their search.

Melo's Pizza, 4433 First St., in Livermore, quickly joined forces with Find Our Fathers, a newly formed organization supporting families of the missing fishermen. Gaetano Piccolo, Louie Senor, Aldo Senor and Erica Piccolo-Senor know all too well what family means. They run a family-owned restaurant together.

“I would want to see my community step forward to help if one of my relatives was missing. It is one way our family can help”, said Aldo Senor. On Thursday, July 28, Melo’s is donating 20 percent of net proceeds to Find Our Fathers.

A popular Valley Montessori School teacher, Mandi Lee-Han, in Livermore is the daughter of Don Lee, 62, one of the missing fishermen. The school community has been instrumental in providing support and coordinating fundraisers to help all the families with their missing loved ones.

“Our family wants to bring closure and know whether or not my father, or any of the missing fishermen, is in the Erik”, said Mandi Lee-Han. She further explains, “the search and dive is further complicated without knowing the approximate location of where the wreckage resides in the water since neither a beacon nor SOS was sent by the Captain."

Unique search equipment and an expert dive team are estimated to cost upwards of approximately $300,000. Depths of the sea canyons can reach 1,000 feet.

Other businesses stepping forward to help with “Find Our Fathers” fundraisers include:

Friday, Rodrigue Molyneaux Estate Vineyard & Winery, 3053 Marina Ave. in Livermore. Mention fundraiser for 10% of proceeds to be donated to Find Our Fathers.

Aug. 2, Rigatoni's, 7350 Dublin Blvd. in Dublin. No flyer/coupon
needed. Write on back of check “FindOurFathers” for 20% donation

Aug. 4, Casa Orozco, 7995 Amador Valley Blvd. in Dublin. Remit coupon for 15% of proceeds to be donated to Find Our Fathers.

Aug. 4, Casa Orozco, 325 South “L” St. in Livermore. Remit coupon for 15% of proceeds to be donates to Find Our Fathers.

Aug. 5 and 12, Rodrigue Molyneaux Estate Vineyard & Winery, 3053 Marina Ave. in Livermore. Mention fundraiser for 10% of proceeds to be donated to Find Our Fathers.

Please join us to support Find Our Fathers on Thursday, July 28, at Melo's Pizza, 4433 First St., in Livermore and at the other fundraisers. For more information on Find Our Fathers, please contact James Lee at (925) 957-6339 or by e-mail at FindOurFathers@gmail.com.