The family of one of the victims in 2017's Seminole Heights murders honored the memory of their lost loved one Thursday with a donation that they hope would make him smile.
- Family of Anthony Naiboa has started a foundation
- Foundation has donated two laptops so far to students
- Goal to increase awareness about Autism
Anthony Naiboa's family presented a laptop to graduating Middleton High School senior Reshayla Longstreet. It was an emotional presentation on the Middleton campus, where the two attended school.
Anthony’s family recently founded the Anthony Naiboa Autism Foundation to help keep his memory alive. The foundation is giving away laptops to students with special needs across the Bay area in order to increase public awareness regarding autism.
"We didn't want Anthony's name to die,” said Anthony’s sister, Karen. “We want him to be well known in the community."
Nineteen-year-old Reshayla is the foundation's second laptop recipient.
"It felt a blessing. A journey, a new beginning," said Longstreet. "Every time I used to see him, in the lunchroom, he used to have a computer with him and making music."
"Anthony was always on his laptop making music," Karen explained. "That's when he was the most happiest."
Now the computers are making others happy in Anthony’s memory.
"That gift was a blessing, so I could talk to my parents when I'm out of state, traveling the world," said Longstreet.
"It feel like ... not only that we gave away something that will be valuable for her life, but we also gave something that Anthony will use, also used to use in his life," Karen said.
"We are achieving Anthony's dream," said Anthony’s father, Casmar Naiboa
To learn more about the Anthony Naiboa Autism Foundation, visit them on Instagram at @anafoundation.inc