Community rallies around child after fireworks tragedy (w/photo)

DESTIN — Gianni Toce and his family were celebrating Mother’s Day without his mom.

Danna Toce died about three years ago from cancer, and the family had bought fireworks to set off in a celebration of her life. But the celebration turned tragic when 8-year-old Gianni suffered critical face and head injuries and was blinded by some sort of firework, said Bill Parker, a family friend and Gianni’s Little League coach.

“It’s overwhelming,” Parker said of the accident. “He is probably the most loving, caring and sensitive little boy.”

Rescuers for Destin Fire Control District were called to an address in Kelly Plantation at about 9:20 p.m. Sunday, but Gianni’s family met firefighters on the way.

The boy was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast and then flown to Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola. Firefighters said it took quite a while for rescuers to stabilize the Destin Elementary School student for flight.

Gianni fielded the pitcher’s position for Destin’s Minor League machine-pitch baseball team the Yankees. Parker said he is an excellent student who has many friends.

He would have made his baseball league’s all-star team this year, too, Parker said.

“He was the epitome of sportsmanship and fair play,” Parker said. “When his Dad would watch him, you could see Gianni’s chest swell up because he wanted to perform well.”

The all-star team will wear Gianni’s initials on their uniforms this season. He’ll also be an honorary member of the team.

Members of the Little League program from T-ball to the Majors gathered on one field Monday night to pray for Gianni and his family.

“We’re all feeling this,” Parker said. “It’s hard to make sense of.”

Students at Destin Elementary and Little League players have made voice recordings and gathered stuffed animals and other items Gianni can feel and hear because he has lost his vision, Parker said.

He and a few others will pick up the items at the school Wednesday morning and take them to Gianni and his family at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Pensacola, where he remains in critical care.

Parker said Gianni suffered a significant amount of blood loss and initially had trouble breathing on a lung machine. However, he is expected to survive his injuries.

“He was the spitting image of the all-American child,” Parker said. “His personality just bubbled over. He was a child you wanted to be around.”

This story was written Wednesday by Brooks.

Even though Gianni Toce is still in critical condition, his father told school officials he is hopeful his son will regain sight in at least one eye.

The 8-year-old Destin Elementary School star student and Little League player suffered severe facial and head injuries from a firework Sunday night. Gianni and his family were using the firework to remember his mom on Mother’s Day. She died several years ago from cancer.

“They’re still holding out hope,” said Destin Elementary School Principal Marti Gardner. “We’re here to support him and his family.”

The tragic accident has affected other students and Gianni’s baseball team, the Yankees.

“It was just an accident. The sentiment in what the family was trying to do was right,” said Susan Parker, a family friend and Little League supporter. “The little kids just don’t understand.”

Teachers at Destin Elementary have been trying to help kids get over the shock of what happened to their schoolmate by keeping conversations age appropriate and sticking to the facts.

“We’re trying to squelch all the rumors,” Gardner said, adding that the kids knew Gianni was being cared for by many people and everything possible was being done to help him get well.

Gianni’s sister returned to Destin Elementary on Wednesday and Gardner said students were ready to help her cope with her brother’s injury.

Several Little League players and their families are sending well wishes in the form of cards, stuffed animals, CDs and other items to Gianni. Parker and her husband, Gianni’s baseball coach, hoped to take the tokens to the injured boy Wednesday.

“They’re things that when he wakes up, he’ll know he is loved,” Parker said.

“How lucky we are to be in this community where people who don’t even know him want to help,” Gardner said.

Friends and local churches are holding an open prayer circle Wednesday night from 7 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kelly Plantation Owner’s Club. Anyone who’d like to show their support and concern for Gianni and his family is invited to join.

“He’s joyful,” Gardner said. “Everybody loves him. He’s the child everyone would love to have.”