United by tragedy: Drowning victim Brendan Santo's parents give $10,000 for Oxford High therapy dogs

Brendan Santo graduated last June from Rochester Adams High.
(Photo from family)

Wendy and Brad Santo live 12 miles from Oxford, outside its school district. Yet as they grieve the newly confirmed death of 18-year-old son Brendan, the parents reach out with compassion and generosity for teens in that nearby community.

The Rochester Hills couple donated $10,000 Tuesday to an onlive drive to provide five emotional comfort dogs that will help ease anxiety at Oxford High, which just reopened after a deadly November shooting.

The Santos, whose eldest of two children disappeared Oct. 29 during a Michigan State University visit and was found last Friday in the Red Cedar River, post at the GoFundMe campaign:

The effort has raised nearly $52,000 from over 450 donors by Thursday morning, passing its $50,000 goal "to purchase and train dogs for a new Oxford dog therapy program."

The five-figure donors acted two days before a visitation for their son at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Rochester on Thursday afternoon and evening. The funeral will be private. (Condolences and tributes can be posted at this funeral home page.)

Their gift, the largest by far, inspires others to honor Santo. Twenty-nine people gave a total of $2,565 after the Santos as a tribute to their drowned son. Sample comments at GoFundMe:

Donating to help our neighboring families in Oxford in Brendan Santo’s honor. ❤️ -- Heather Simon, Oakland Township, mother of an Adams High lacrosse teammate and fellow Class of '21 member
Rest in Paradise, sweet boy. -- Tina Merk
In honor of Brendan Santo. May his love for dogs encourage others to donate and bring comfort to students in Oxford. God bless our communities. -- Shannon Fashho, Rochester Hills
#oxfordstrong #BrendansLegacy -- Kelly Swims, Howell