For the past three years, Republic Services residential recycling truck driver Tony LaRosa and the Plaza family on Ferreira Court in Milpitas, particularly 5-year-old Michael Plaza, have developed a special “trash day” friendship.
With the family preparing to move this week to the Sacramento area, LaRosa took Michael Plaza and his 3-year-old brother, Jon Plaza, on a unique 30-minute ride along in his truck last Thursday morning as their parents, Jeff and Jenny Plaza, walked on the sidewalk.
“We’ve become buddies,” LaRosa said of Michael Plaza. “He’s a great kid, great family.”
Michael Plaza, who is home schooled by his mother, Jenny Plaza, meets LaRosa every week and runs around the court — even on rainy days — following along while he empties carts filled with recyclable materials into an automated carry can mounted on the front of his truck. As a parting gift to Michael and Jon Plaza, LaRosa dumps the Curatto Can into the truck hopper before he leaves the court.
The Plaza family is set to move to Wilton, Calif., just south of Sacramento, on Saturday (July 25). Jenny’s parents live in the area. They will also be closer to LaRosa, who lives in Manteca.
“He’s been a good guy to have out (on the route),” Jeff Plaza said of LaRosa. “He’s been careful with the kids.”
As exciting as the experience was for her sons, Jenny Plaza said it was just as thrilling for LaRosa.
“It was a really fun day,” she said.
Longtime Milpitas residents, the Plaza family has lived on Ferreira Court, off Edsel Drive, since 2011. The couple also has 10-year-old identical twin girls, Madelyn and Gwen.
Jeff Plaza has served about 20 years in the Army, four years active duty and 16 years in the Army Reserves, with deployments to Bosnia and Iraq. Jenny Plaza home schools the three older children and manages Jon’s medical care.
In March 2014, Jon was diagnosed with acute non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphblastic lymphoma. He is already halfway through a three-year treatment. However, his illness will require monitoring for the rest of his life. Jon will have to travel to Stanford University Hospital once a month for treatment. The Plaza family has set up a GoFundMe page (facebook.com/pray4jon/timeline) to help with his treatments. Republic Services has donated $1,000 to the GoFundMe campaign, which has a goal of $9,000.
Thursday mornings will not be the same without seeing his young friends, LaRosa said. It has been the highlight of his day to see them and they’ve brought a smile to his face on even the toughest of days, he said.
“It’s going to break my heart,” LaRosa said.
LaRosa admitted he might shed some tears, which Jeff Plaza echoed.
“I’m sure there will be some tears,” Jeff Plaza said. “We’ve been really fond of Tony.”
Sondra Sanchez, Jeff Plaza’s mother, drives a garbage truck in her hometown in Kentucky. The family jokes that Michael Plaza has it in his blood.
Contact Julian J. Ramos at jramos@themilpitaspost.com or 408-262-2454 or follow him on twitter.com/julianjramosmp. Visit us on our social media sites at facebook.com/MilpitasPost and twitter.com/MilpitasPost.
