Archive

Abby fundraiser gives back in a big way

July 21, 2015   ·   0 Comments

Celebrating a huge fundraiser in Abby Eveson’s name were (top left) Jennifer Long Caruk, Anne-Marie Newton (SickKids foundation rep), Charlie Eveson, Craig Eveson, Becky Eveson, Abby Eveson, Mayor Steve Pellegrini, Susan Heslop, Meaghan Buchanan , (bottom left) Jonathan Bell (King Township Parks and Recreation), Nicola Connor, Michelle Bozzo  (committee member). Absent were Elise Oakley, Ashley Rossetto, and Matt Rossetto.

By Mark Pavilons
A thank-you to the community has also given back, in a very big way.
A fundraiser in Abby Eveson’s name was held recently, during the opening of Schomberg’s Hickstead Park. The event raised a total of $9,407.40 for SickKids Foundation, plus $1,300 raised through the BBQ for Cardiac Kids.
“It was a truly amazing day. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate Abby and Charlie’s birthdays than this event,” said mom Becky Eveson. “We were able to say thank you to everyone that has helped support us with Abby’s journey.
Last week they made the formal cheque presentation to Anne-Marie Newton, a representative with the SickKids Foundation.
“Thank you to Mayor Pellegrini for the continued support from the Township of King by allowing us to coincide with a Township event. Thank you to Chris Fasciano, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture for your team’s support and thank you to Jon Bell, Recreation Program Coordinator, for working with myself to help bring it all together. It is truly appreciated.”
Eveson thanked all of our volunteers the day of the event.
“Without your help it would not have been possible. Many of you I have never met and it just amazed me that you would take time out of your life’s to help us out.”
Thanks are extended to Donna Eveson, Carol Hewitt, Kristen Werry, Kathryn Al, Marie Laurencin, Zack Rhodes, the Millson Family, Vicki Hartman, Ashlee MacDonald Figliomeni, Jenn Neely, Brittney, Jade, Jenna, Aislinn, Tammy, Grace and Courtney.
“Thank you to all of the amazing organizations that helped support our event by either donating to prizes for our promotional draw or by volunteering their services to make a memorial event. We had so many compliments on the amazing prizes as well as how many fun things there were to do.
“Last but definitely not least, thank you to the committee members. This group of individuals gave up a great deal of time to help support this event. By meeting for weekly meetings, picking up items, asking for donation items the list goes on.
Eveson said they’re looking forward to doing it all again next year.
“There’s nothing more rewarding and healing than giving back.”
Abby was born with multiple congenital heart defects and the biggest concern is the blood flow out of the heart to become oxygenated by the lungs. Abby has already had several open heart surgeries.
Eveson explained that it was an idea brewing to help celebrate Abby’s first birthday. The journey they had been on made the Eveson family truly appreciate the time that you get to spend with family. It was an idea to give the gift of a fun day to everyone with their family who created the “We Believe in Abby Family Day.”
The timing for Abby’s first birthday just didn’t work out. She had a surgery scheduled two days before hand, which had been cancelled, but did not allow this type of event to take place. Then after her third open heart surgery this past October the idea became a reality.  The family received support from the community and surrounding communities that was overwhelming.  Donations provided to the family helped make the idea come to life.
How could they not give what they have learned to be an incredible gift, time with family,  back to all of those who helped them?
The support continued as strangers offered to help be on the committee; the Township offered to have the event coincide with the grand opening of their park; almost every business in the town of Schomberg contributed to the event in some way as well as others from the Township of King.
It was an event for the Evesons to say thank you to everyone for all the support helping Abby get to her second Birthday and Charlie’s forth.
In the end it was an event that celebrated community.

         

Facebooktwittermail

Tags: ,


Readers Comments (0)


Sorry, comments are closed on this post.

Page Reader Press Enter to Read Page Content Out Loud Press Enter to Pause or Restart Reading Page Content Out Loud Press Enter to Stop Reading Page Content Out Loud Screen Reader Support
Open