Pascucci restaurant donates all proceeds to help family of a child with cancer

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Every seat was filled and Pascucci restaurant supported one of its own Sunday night with a fundraiser for an employee in need.

4-year-old Emmanual Sandoval who is battling cancer is the son of Jorge Sandoval, an employee at the restaurant for the last decade. Pascucci owner Laura Knight stepped up to help with medical costs by donating the night's proceeds to the Sandoval family.

Several thousand dollars came in from customers purchasing Italian food and also adding cash contributions to a special gift box.

Emmanual or "Manny" was diagnosed in spring. When he lost his hair during treatment, his father and mother both shaved their heads to show their support.

With the help of Manny's doctors and the treatment plan for the young boy, Manny is now in remission.

The funds raised through the restaurant event will help with the large medical bills that have grown.

Some of those attending donated straight cash, others brought family members and friends in to share a meal and support the cause in a united way with the Sandoval family.

Manny was in a tall chair at the bar greeting people coming through the door throughout the night.

Employees of Pascucci donated their time for the cause to make the event possible.