Reward For Gigi, LI Vet's Missing Service Dog, Up To $15K

NORTH FORK, NY — A caring community continues to come together to help bring a North Fork veteran's missing service dog Gigi home — Kait's Angels recently donated $5,000, bringing the reward to $15,000 for Gigi's safe return.

Kait's Angels is a not-for-profit group created after former Mattituck Strawberry Queen, Kaitlyn Doorhy, 20, died while away at college in 2014, has helped scores of North Fork residents. Through fundraisers including a Designer Wingo Handbag event, a Poker Run, and a yearly yard sale, the group has raised funds to reach out with full hearts and help residents facing health crises and other challenges — and has worked to install Buddy Benches across the North Fork and beyond, so that no child ever has to sit alone.

Joe Doorhy, Kaitlyn's father, spoke with Patch about why the group decided to help in the search for Gigi. He said he called the DiSilvio family and spoke with Michael DiSilvio, who battles anxiety and PTSD. A combat vet, he served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY; he later served at Fort Drum in Jefferson County, NY, Michael's wife Kathleen Stewart DiSilvio said.

"I talked to Mike, and it was heartbreaking — he started crying," Doorhy said.

The entire DiSilvio family has been devastated since Gigi, just a year and a half old when last seen, went missing on July 15 on Marratooka Lane in Mattituck.

The heavy weight of loss is something the Doorhys have borne since the loss of their beloved daughter, Joe said; now, they feel compelled to help the DiSilvios in their search. Joe said he brought the idea of donating funds to the Kait's Angels board, who agreed to help.

"We want to do something to reinvigorate the search," he said.

He added that since Gigi's disappearance, there have been videos circulating on social media of someone removing the "missing" posters from poles during the wee hours of the night. "I'm convinced she was stolen," he said. "We want to get this story back out there."

Kathleen said the new donation from Kait's Angels has filled her family's hearts with joy. "They do so much, for so many people," she said. "The fact that they picked us and even know about Gigi is amazing!"

Until the donation from Kait's Angels, donations were up to $10,000, as a hometown has come together and pooled their resources in a desperate attempt to find Gigi.

Nancy Blasko of Mattituck kicked off the effort. "Someone knows something. Someone knows who took the signs down throughout the North Fork. They weren't taken down for a no reason," she said.

A GoFundMe to find Gigi has also been created.

Those organizing the effort say there will be no questions asked — all they want is, if someone has Gigi, is for them to bring her home safely.

Blasko pledged $1,000 of her own money to offer as a reward. "She didn't just vanish! It could be even your neighbor that has her. This is our local veteran from our hometown. This is a service dog and a family pet. To the person that has her — no one knows it's you, just drop her off at home. Do the right thing."

Soon, in a heartfelt scene, friends and neighbors, some of whom have never even met Gigi, began commenting on the Facebook post, offering their own donations.

Someone offered $500. Another, $50. One woman said that she did not have much to give but would like to donate $25, to bring Gigi home. One after another the donations came pouring in, a flurry of love and hometown spirit, with a belief that if love is enough, Gigi will be soon be home, back in the arms of her adoring family.

Kathleen Stewart DiSilvio said Gigi is a black Labrador Retriever. Her voice filled with tears, DiSilvio said while it's hard to talk about — the grief and yearning are still too real and raw — but she and her family want Gigi's story to remain out there, for the search to continue. It has to, she said — because in their hearts, they believe she is alive and waiting to be reunited with her family.

Blasko said after reading a recent Patch article about Gigi, now missing almost seven months, she felt compelled to help.

"It breaks my heart to see Kathleen, Mike and their kids hurt," she said. "I talk to Kathleen often. I just felt we had to get it out there. . . My heart feels like she is close. Someone knows something, and just staying out of it. I pray hard for Kathleen and her family. I pray the person who knows something or has her will just return her."

There's another reason Blasko wanted to do something to help. "20 years ago when my mom was sick with cancer, the community donated to her, to help with her medicine and when she needed a car. The church family came helped. It's my turn to help a friend."

DiSilvio said the family has also been working with the Facebook group "Missing Angels - Long Island." if Gigi is found and the person who returns her does not want the reward, the money raised will be donated to a charity, with an eye toward giving back after such a huge outpouring of love.

The search for Gigi been long and filled with pitfalls, including false sightings and the many, many "missing" posters that were constantly and mysteriously removed.

Because, despite the many long days and nights without her, DiSilvio and her family have never given up believing that one day, Gigi would come home."I've never felt that she's no longer around. I truly believe that she is out there," she said.

DiSilvio and her family want to thank the many who've come forward to help, making flyers and posting them, sharing Gigi's photo and story on social media, and rallying to search.

"I have people that pull up in cars in front of our house and just pray," she said. Prayer groups are also remembering Gigi when they meet, she said.

"All of us in our heart of hearts — we believe she’s alive," she said. "Every day when I wake up, I feel like today could be the day."

If you see Gigi or would like to donate to the reward fund, call or text 516-443-4902.