Family and friends have organized a benefit for Grainger’s Journey. The fundraiser is from 2:0pm to 6:00pm on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the Moose Lodge in Marion and will include a chili supper, silent auctions, raffles, and music.
Donations for the raffles and auctions have come from companies and individuals, Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cincinnati Bengals, Archie Griffin, Jessie McCartney, Alan Jackson, and more.
Admission is $10 for the benefit.
One of the organizers, Pam de Souza, says Grainger was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, which is on the autism spectrum, when he was 2.
“He is a handsome, loving 3 and ½ year old little boy that is the light in the eyes of everyone that knows him,” stated de Souza.
Grainger is non-verbal and does not have the socialization and other skills of children his age, according to de Souza. She said that recent advances in medical science however offer hope in the form of stem cell therapy, which is currently only performed outside the US. de Souza said that they have located a clinic in Panama that does stem cell therapy for autism, but the treatment and travel is very expensive.
“We are planning a benefit to raise funds to help our dream come to fruition,” stated de Souza. “The dream to help Grainger have a better chance in life.”
If you cannot make it to the benefit, de Souza said any donation you can make to their cause would be greatly appreciated. They have a donation account set up for Grainger at Fahey Bank, 127 North Main Street in Marion (just tell them it is for Grainger’s Journey). They also have a website at www.graingerjourney.com where donations can be made through PayPal.
For more information, call de Souza at 215-896-5504.
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