Salon Holds Fundraiser for Critically Injured Toddler

An Edgewater salon is hosting a fundraiser to help the family of a 19-month-old critically injured in a fiery car crash in Ocean City on Dec. 16.

While sitting in their vehicle at a red light, Ava DelRicco and her mother Ann Marie were hit by a truck whose driver was in possession of marijuana and Phencyclidine (PCP), according to a release by the Ocean City Police Department. The truck caught fire after striking DelRicco's car on Coastal Highway.

Scott Muska, the Ocean City reporter for the Worcester County Times, covered the story back in December.

“[Ava] was trapped in the car and police said there was fire coming from the engine compartment of the truck,” Muska said in a phone interview with Patch.

Muska said the truck driver, identified as Andre James Kaczynski, 47, was arrested a second time after posting bail when police said they executed a search warrant of his residence and allegedly found drugs in his home.

Ava sustained critical, life-threatening injuries and was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital Children's Center in Baltimore. An ambulance took Ann Marie DelRicco to Peninsula Regional Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries, according to the release.

Since the accident, Ava has since been recovering in the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Edgewater’s is partnering with the Ava DelRicco Benefit Fund to raise money for the toddler’s family to help pay for medical expenses.

“We want to do everything possible to ease the financial burdens of the family so that they can focus on giving their baby girl the love and attention she needs while she recovers,” according to a release.

The local salon is calling the event a “cut-a-thon” and will include hair cuts, minute massages, polish changes and other salon services. The event occurs Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the salon began selling raffle tickets Tuesday—six tickets for $5. Winners of the raffle will be announced at the “cut-a-thon” on Feb 26.

Various businesses throughout Maryland are joining the effort to help the DelRicco family.

For more information about the Ava DelRicco Benefit Fund, check out the  list of calendar events and alternative ways to support the family.