Support Pours In For Family Of Westchester Bus Driver That Lost Their Young Son

After a well-loved bus driver and school monitor lost his young son from an illness, a Northern Westchester community came together to make sure his family had the means to give him a proper farewell.

Winston Batista pictured with his family.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of GoFundMe "Assist Winston's Family During This Tragedy"*

Ben Crnic

08/11/2024 4:00 p.m.

Winston Batista, a beloved bus driver and school monitor with the Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School District for almost 25 years, found himself struggling with funeral costs after losing his son, Aiden, following a two-year illness.

His predicament caught the attention of community members such as Michael Portnoy, a Lewisboro town employee who grew up knowing Batista.

"He is known for putting a smile on so many kids’ faces and now he really needs the community’s help," Portnoy wrote in a social media post on Monday, Aug. 5.

That help certainly came—a GoFundMe campaign started by Batista's friends and coworkers has raised more than $28,000 for Aiden's funeral costs as of Sunday, Aug. 11, surpassing the original goal of $20,000.

The effort was definitely much-needed, as Batista had been in and out of the hospital for two years and had been working two jobs to make ends meet during Aiden's illness, according to the fundraiser organizers.

Those wishing to donate can do so by clicking here.

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