Friends of a bartender who was shot in the leg by her ex-boyfriend, are hosting a fundraiser to help per pay medical bills.
The road to recovery from the shotgun wound to Dana Colasacco’s right lower-calf will take at least a year-and-a-half. She had worked as a bartender at Linda’s Place at 3484 E. Tremont Avenue.
She was shot in her apartment at 3215 Randall Avenue on March 3 after an argument with Jose Maximo. Linda’s Place manager Ed Maloney will host the all-day fundraiser for Colasacco on Saturday, April 18 at the bar. It will last from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. the next day.
“There is a $25 entry fee per person,” Maloney said. “With that you get two drinks and food. There are all kinds of raffles – 50/50, baskets of cheer, flower bouquets, chocolate candy baskets and karaoke.”
Maloney said that all of the proceeds would go to Colasacco. He said that he is glad to help because he considers Colasacco to be an upstanding young lady.
Maloney said that Colasacco has had to undergo four operations to date. He said that the first was to remove the pellets from her leg.
Other operations moved muscle from her upper back and brought it down to her ankle to repair nerves, took muscle down from her lower stomach area and put it into the ankle, steel rods were inserted into in her ankle to create a brace. A fifth operation will be necessary to repair nerves at the bottom of her right foot.
Her co-workers were shocked when they learned of Colosacco’s misfortune.
“She is a really good person,” said Bianca Guzman, another Linda’s Place bartender. “Dana is warm-hearted, kind-hearted, and she really looks out for others.”
Maximo was charged with assault 2, assault 3, and a variety of related offenses. He plead not guilty, and was released on $25,000 cash bail.
For more information about the fundraiser call (718) 551–4677.
