In the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland, a community is coming together to support one of its own. Ada Villatoro, co-owner of the beloved Latin restaurant El Golfo in the Long Branch neighborhood, is facing Stage 4 breast cancer. Known for her generosity and dedication, Ada has long been a pillar of the community. Now, as her family navigates the emotional and financial challenges of her illness, neighbors and patrons are stepping up to help.

El Golfo is more than just a restaurant. For 21 years, it has been a vibrant gathering place, easily recognized by the colorful toucan mural painted on its corner. The Villatoro family has poured their hearts into the business, making it a landmark in Long Branch. Ada, described by her son Ricky as “very much a go-getter,” has been instrumental in its success. Even after her diagnosis in February 2023, she continued to manage the restaurant from home, demonstrating the same resilience and commitment that endeared her to so many.

But the costs of cancer treatment are steep. Ada recently underwent a mastectomy, and changes in insurance coverage, coupled with economic pressures, have made it increasingly difficult for the family to keep up with medical bills. Ricky Villatoro explained that even well-established restaurants like El Golfo are feeling the pinch. “The way the economy’s been the past few years, the margins are real tight,” he told WTOP News. This financial strain led the family to launch a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $30,000 to help offset expenses.

The response has been overwhelming. By Monday afternoon, more than $25,000 had already been raised. It’s a testament to the deep roots the Villatoros have in the community and the high regard in which Ada is held. This groundswell of support is especially poignant given Ada’s own history of giving back. After the Flower Branch Apartment explosion in 2016, she provided meals for first responders. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she and her family organized a campaign to serve meals to health care workers.

Even while battling a serious illness, Ada’s instinct to help others remains unchanged. Just recently, when residents of nearby apartments on East Wayne and Manchester Road were displaced by flooding, she was quick to ask how she could assist. Annie Tulkin, Vice President of the Long Branch Business League and a local resident, noted that Ada’s response was immediate. “And she immediately stepped up to say, ‘How can we help? What can we do?’” Tulkin recalled.

Stories like Ada’s highlight the powerful impact local businesses and their owners can have on a neighborhood. They are not just providers of goods or services, but often serve as quiet cornerstones of community life. El Golfo is a clear example of this dynamic. It’s a place where culture, cuisine, and compassion intersect, and where the lines between customer and neighbor blur into something deeper.

I found this detail striking: even in the midst of personal hardship, Ada’s focus remains outward. Her continued concern for others despite her own challenges speaks volumes about her character. It also helps explain why so many are now eager to return the favor.

For those looking to support the Villatoro family, contributing to the GoFundMe campaign is one way to help. But equally important is the reminder this story offers about the strength of community ties. As Tulkin observed, the outpouring of support is no surprise. “It’s also a really great reminder of how thoughtful people in our community are and how loved she is.”

In a time when economic pressures and personal crises can feel isolating, the Long Branch neighborhood’s response to Ada’s situation is both heartening and instructive. It shows that when someone who has given so much to others needs help, the community can and does rise to the occasion.

This story also underscores the challenges that small business owners face, particularly in the restaurant industry. With slim profit margins and fluctuating customer traffic, even well-known establishments are vulnerable. The added burden of a serious illness can tip the balance, making community support not just appreciated, but essential.

As Ada continues her fight against breast cancer, the love and generosity of those around her offer more than financial relief—they provide hope. And in turn, her story offers a powerful example of how kindness, when nurtured over time, can come full circle.

Read more at wtop.com