- Sixteen-year-old Andy Le survived a deadly festival attack by staying home and later donated nearly $192K to help other victims, an act that highlighted the Teen Donates scenario.
- Andy lost his father, stepmother, and younger sister in the tragedy and now lives with his grandparents, illustrating another heartwarming Teen Donates story.
- The Vancouver community continues to grieve as police investigate and more charges are expected against the driver.
Andy Le, a 16-year-old from Vancouver, made headlines after a heartbreaking tragedy changed his life forever. On April 26, a driver crashed an SUV into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival, killing 11 people. Among the victims were Andy’s father Richard Le, his stepmother Linh Hoang, and his 5-year-old sister Katie. Teen Donates stories like Andy’s show how one can rise above personal loss. Andy survived only because he stayed home that day to complete his homework. He was the only member of his family who did not attend the event. Now, he is using the attention and support he’s received to help others.
The Lapu Lapu Festival Turned Deadly for Many Families
The Lapu Lapu Festival is an annual event in Vancouver that celebrates Filipino culture. People come with their families to enjoy music, food, and fun. On that Saturday, the joyful gathering turned into a nightmare. A man drove an SUV straight into the crowd, leaving dozens injured and 11 people dead. Victims ranged in age from 5 to 65. Police quickly arrested 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo at the scene. He now faces eight charges of second-degree murder, and officials expect more charges to follow. The community still struggles to understand why this happened.
Andy Le Survived Because He Chose to Stay Home
Andy Le made a last-minute decision to stay home and focus on his schoolwork. That choice saved his life. His father, stepmother, and younger sister went without him. A GoFundMe page, created by his uncle Toan Le, shared the heartbreaking news. It confirmed the deaths of Richard, Linh, and Katie. The page explained that Andy is now the only surviving member of his immediate family. His decision to stay home has left many people shocked and emotional. One small choice made the difference between life and death.
Andy Donates $192K from Fundraiser to Other Victims
After the tragedy, the GoFundMe campaign raised over $392,000 to support Andy. People across Canada and around the world donated generously. But instead of keeping all the money, Andy made a bold and kind decision. In a video shared on the fundraising page, Andy thanked all the donors. Then he announced he would donate $266,000 Canadian dollars (almost $192,500 USD) to help the other families affected by the attack. He said, “Many families are hurting too.” His words touched many hearts. His choice exemplifies the Teen Donates spirit. He chose to honor his family by giving back to others who also lost loved ones.
Andy Wants to Live with His Grandparents Who Raised Him
Andy now lives with his grandparents. He said they helped raise him and love him deeply. He wants to stay with them and build his life moving forward. In the video, he said, “Thank you all so much for your support.” His strength and kindness have inspired many people. Andy is not thinking only about himself. He wants to heal and help others heal too. The teenager who lost everything has shown courage and compassion far beyond his years.
Richard Le Devoted His Life to Family and Community
Richard Le, Andy’s father, worked as a real estate agent and coached youth sports. He loved tennis and badminton. He taught kids the value of teamwork, effort, and respect. His brother Toan wrote on the fundraiser page that Richard always put others first. He supported his clients with pride and helped young athletes grow into better people. He also loved his family and worked hard to give them a good life. His death is a huge loss to everyone who knew him.
Linh Hoang Raised Andy Like Her Own Son
Linh Hoang was Andy’s stepmother, but she treated him like her own child. She was kind, gentle, and full of love. She had plans to visit her family in Vietnam soon. Instead, her life ended in an unthinkable tragedy. The family described her as someone who always thought of others. She helped raise Andy with care and warmth. Her memory lives on through the people she touched and the love she gave.
Katie Le Was Just Starting Her Life
Katie Le was the youngest victim of the attack. She had just finished preschool and was excited to start kindergarten. Her uncle Toan described her as “the life of the party.” She loved to laugh and play with her cousins. She brought joy to everyone around her. Her bright smile and playful spirit made everyone love her. Losing Katie broke the hearts of her entire family and community. She had her whole life ahead of her.
Vancouver Community Still Struggles After the Attack
The deadly attack shocked the city of Vancouver. People are mourning, asking questions, and trying to heal. The Lapu Lapu Festival, once a time of joy, now carries heavy grief. The community stands behind Andy and all the other victims. People continue to light candles, bring flowers, and leave messages at the site of the attack. Police are still investigating. They believe more charges will follow as they gather more details.
Fundraiser for Andy Now Closed as Donations Pour In
After raising over $392,800, the GoFundMe campaign has stopped accepting new donations. The organizers wanted to give Andy space to grieve and rebuild. The donations helped Andy in the hardest time of his life. But his choice to share most of the money with others made a powerful impact. Many call Andy a hero, not just for surviving, but for giving back in the face of loss, exemplifying the Teen Donates spirit.