Los Gatos Rallies Around Family After Father is Struck By Car

Friends of Cliff Hibbitts and his family are spearheading a fundraising effort after the owner was hit by a car May 27 while walking from a grocery store to his vehicle with three of his four children.

According to Los Gatos residents Wendy Riggs and Dave Burt, it's time for the community to give back to the Hibbitts during their time of need as Cliff and wife Stephanie Hibbitts volunteer with the Los Gatos Lions Club, Los Gatos Little League, Los Gatos-Saratoga Girls Softball, Calvary Church and the Los Gatos Union School District.

"By volunteer we mean they do big jobs like running the snack shack, planning entire grade-level functions and cutting hair on St. Baldrick's Day. They always do these things with a smile and joke or two, never expecting anything in return," Riggs and Burt wrote in an email to this publication seeking publicity for their fundraising effort on behalf of the family.

The May 27 accident caused severe damage to Cliff's lower left leg. He has undergone several surgeries to repair injuries to his bone and soft tissue, they said, explaining how the Hibbitts children avoided injury but witnessed the horrible incident.

Cliff is home from the hospital following three surgeries, but faces many months of rehabilitation and possibly more surgeries before he can return to work, they added.

Cliff also owns and operates Hibbitts Family Stables in San Jose and is the sole income provider for his family whose four children range in age from 10 through 15 years old.

Both of his jobs require a lot of time on his feet and it's expected that he will not be able to return to work full-time for one year, they indicated.

A Lotsa Helping Hands website has been created to help the family with meals, household chores, driving and other needs.

However, cash donations are greatly needed to help provide financial support for the Hibbitts family for one full year. Funds raised will help them with housing expenses, medical expenses, food, clothing, car expenses and everyday needs for their family of six, according to the Helping the Hibbitts Family website.

Riggs and Burt organized a family picnic with a bake sale, watermelon eating contest and other fun games on June 16 and a fundraising day at Pizza on June 19.

Now, the call for help is being done through email and word of mouth and Riggs and Burt say they've raised half the amount needed to keep the family afloat for at least one year while Cliff recovers.

Those interested in making a financial contribution to the Hibbitts can:

Write a check, payable to Stephanie Hibbitts, and mail it to: Hibbitts Family, c/o Wendy Riggs, 16265 Short Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95032. Your check will be considered a personal gift. Please consult your tax advisor on how to handle gifts and for any potential tax implications. 

Purchase a gift card to Raley’s/Nob Hill Foods, Safeway, Target or a Los Gatos restaurant and mail it to: Hibbitts Family, c/o Wendy Riggs, 16265 Short Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95032. Your gift card will be considered a personal gift.

Make a cash donation via PayPal by clicking here.

If you would like more information on how to help the family, please visit www.hibbittsfamily.weebly.com.