Woman raises more than $40K for father, 8-year-old son selling flowers in Boyle Heights

BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- When Edgar Machic Jr.'s father lost his job due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 8-year-old started helping his dad make a living by selling flowers on Cesar Chavez Boulevard in Boyle Heights.

Boyle Heights resident Wendy Rodriguez was buying tacos outside while doing an Instagram live when Edgar approached, asking her to buy his flowers.

Rodriguez ended up buying all of his flowers and giving him an extra tip.

"I was like, I cannot just not help," Rodriguez said.

Edgar and his father immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemela a year ago after his mother passed away. Now, the two sell flowers to make ends meet and to send money to Edgar's two sisters in Guatemala.

"I grew up in El Salvador and I've seen that so that's nothing new. And to me to see that, but to see it here, and to experience that now, I was kind of speechless," Rodriguez said.

After meeting Edgar, Rodriguez started a GoFundMe raising more than $40,000 for Edgar and his dad.

"Now she is a great friend. I wasn't expecting to meet her, and even though we're neighbors. But God put her on the path," Machic said.

After Rodriguez shared the story of the 8-year-old, she's received messages from people also wanting to help the dad and son.

"I was going through a storm. But thank God that God placed her on the path."

"Thank you and God bless you," said Edgar.

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