A community in Felton comes together to support family of Sami Espinosa

A community in Felton came together, Sunday, to show support for the family of a boy who lost his life on September 3rd. The 7-year-old was hit and killed by a vehicle while riding a scooter in the driveway of his family home.

Sunday, a fundraiser was put together in his name. Local fitness groups hosted a high-energy, 90-minute zumba class. It was an event Sami’s uncle, Todd Iles, said he would have enjoyed. “Sami would have loved to have been dancing here with everyone,” said Iles.

Cecilia Kelly, Zumba Instructor at Scotts Valley Total Fitness, organized the fundraiser as a celebration of life. “Since Sami loved to dance, we love to dance, everyone loves to dance, we wanted to raise money, and the obvious choice was to have a dance party for him,” said Kelly. Sami’s aunt, Sabina Iles, is student of Kelly’s.

Kelly helped to pack the San Lorenzo Valley High School Gym for the fundraiser. Over a hundred people showed up in support of Sami’s family. Sami attended San Lorenzo Valley Elementary, next door.

“Even in the midst of this tragedy, I have just been overwhelmed with happiness with how people have come together,” said Kelly.

People of all ages showed up for the zumba session.

“It’s a good feeling in your heart when you know that you’ve helped someone and that you know that you’ve helped raise money for them,” said Andrew Fluent, an 8th grader at a neighboring middle school.

The family said the support has been overwhelming. “We have the best community. We have the best people. No matter what, we’ve felt more love than ever,” said Iles.

The fundraiser collected over $2,500 for Sami’s family.