A GoFundMe has been set up after Alfredo Arroyo, a beloved community member, suffered a heart attack and pneumonia last month, sending him first to the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and then to UCLA Medical Center.

Alfredo Arroyo, Joe's Cafe bartender and Crocodile Restaurant general manager.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Alfredo Arroyo, Joe’s Cafe bartender and Crocodile Restaurant general manager, who suffered a heart attack last month. Credit: GoFundMe photo

The fundraiser, set up by Marcie Martinez on behalf of Arroyo’s wife and family, says that Arroyo experienced a massive heart attack on Nov. 7, when he was sent to the ICU at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

He had successful open heart surgery on Nov. 9, but developed pneumonia during recovery. Arroyo was then sent by air ambulance to UCLA Medical Center, where he is in critical condition.

“Alfredo is loved by the Santa Barbara community,” Martinez said in the fundraiser. “During the day he is a bartender at Joe’s Café, and in the evening, he is the general manager of the Crocodile Restaurant at the Lemon Tree Inn. Alfredo has been a pillar of the community since he was the GM at Café de Sol in Montecito for 39 years.”

In an update posted Nov. 23, Martinez said that Arroyo was having a procedure done to insert an impella pump in his heart to help heal the pneumonia and strengthen his heart.

The GoFundMe description said that donations will go towards helping his family with medical bills and household expenses, as well as accommodations for Arroyo’s wife and family while he is at UCLA Medical Center.

“Alfredo is a loving grandfather who spends his weekends cheering on his grandkids at sporting games, loves to run and spend quality time with his family,” Martinez added. “Alfredo’s key values are family and his faith.”

As of Thursday, there have been 861 donations to the online fundraiser, totaling $115,454 of a $150,000 goal.

A post sharing the GoFundMe link on NextDoor also received dozens of comments with stories and well wishes from friends and community members who know or have met Arroyo.

“The power this man made to our community is overwhelming,” said Steve Warner in his GoFundMe donation. “Just look how many people loved him. Shows what the power of  a smile is, and the kindness he shows.”

At the time of publication, Noozhawk was unable to reach family of Arroyo for comment.

Those interested in donating can visit the GoFundMe here, where more information and updates can also be found.

— Noozhawk staff writer Serena Guentz can be reached at sguentz@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.