The mother of an Ansonia cheerleader died this week on the way to a team competition in Florida.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help the family of Maria Barros, whose daughter competes on the Ansonia Youth Cheerleading’s D12 team.
Barros died in South Carolina after falling ill while her family was traveling to Florida.
“The Ansonia youth cheer program lost a very special mother yesterday tragically,” coach Amy Butler wrote on Facebook Thursday.
“It’s a tragedy,” Mayor David Cassetti said.
The Go Fund Me page had raised about $1,500 by noon Friday and had been shared 341 times.
Friends have set up drives through Meal Train website to support the family over the next several weeks, as well as a toy/gift collection for Barros’ children.
E‑mail Crystal White at [email protected] for more information on those efforts.
White said Barros was a mother of two, a daughter and son.
She called the situation “completely heartbreaking.”
But she said many members of the community have already reached out asking how they can help.
“It’s a special town,” she said. “Everybody bands together. We’ve had a lot of various different requests to help.”
In addition to those efforts, Cassetti said the city will reach out to local philanthropic organizations to see if they can help support the family.
The mayor said more details will be announced as they become available.
In the meantime, Cassetti said the family’s landlord has agreed not to charge them rent until they can get back on their feet.
“We’re going to do everything we can,” Cassetti said. “What a terrible time for that young girl and her family.”
Additional details were not available Friday.
