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Huron Expositor, 2016-06-01, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, June 1, 2016 Pasta dinner at the Van Egmond House a "hit" Without these certain events, many don't know where the historic building would get finances Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor The kitchen coordinators for the Van Egmond House deem the pasta dinners and breakfast fundraisers as focal necessities in the overall longevity of the historic structure. "It's the only money that we're able to raise;" said Deb- bie Chartrand, a kitchen coor- dinator for the Van Egmond Foundation, during the annual pasta dinner May 27. It was avolunteer crewwork ing long hours for the two days before the event The end prod- uctwas fresh garlic bread, pasta with a meat sauce, mixed green peppers, onions and celery, followed by a side of salad. Meals were going for $12 a plate and they printed 100 tickets to start with and Char- trand said they "surpassed" that number. "It was a hit," she said. Lezley Prokop, who is also a kitchen coordinator for the Van Egmond Foundation agreed with Chartrand with remarks regarding how important these events are. "It's the community that supports the Van Egmond House. It's an old house, it Van makes epilepsy easier to manage Family of Seaforth area boy with rare genetic disorder get their wish CONTINUED FROM >PAGE 1 The days tend to last long, since Dean must be moni- tored at all times, said Char- lene, May 26. "It's pretty hectic, he has a lot of doctor's appoint- ments," she said after con- versing with the two health professionals who are usu- ally available on hand in her home throughout the week. One of the most difficult parts of the day is mealtime and that is why Dean has a care worker to assist with the related duties. Every solid meal must be turned into puree. "His dinner takes 45 min- utes, where as another seven-year-old would be done in five minutes," explained Charlene. According to epilepsy.ca, there are approximately 40 million people in the world diagnosed and living with epilepsy. Some cases can be more concerning than oth- ers. In Dean's condition, the severity is rather high. Cur- rently, he's not verbal or able to walk. It can at times be costly, particularly the equipment he must have to help him function to the best CAMP -OUT RV sales. rentals • sery _ tore r since 1962 Sir:Wurd, 6alaria iniv.crepoutrri.eom 1 -965 -65P -1S C, 545 frthdaj Opera Howe Leri, Juni brei 9 - 1; erre Sat,. June alit g - 3 peri sunt, Juno GM 11 - 3 pa' .a.ip,101011 ort ralm Yard Sale .All Weekend 011:1F1151 1354 43oorp•laes Nanutadvrer Rept OrrSiLe ICA'E ICER MKT 00 rat Faeeh,k. Nib!. R Irrsiairan r rluas I r a alwittio prgEl km14 al Mralford as11My 8 4isd:our *tilt for lull ['giallo 5-I Iir141Y.CarrpovFriaiim f needs a lot of renovations," stated Prokop. "Last year we spent $11,000 on repairing brick work. And that money just doesn't come to us. " "If we don't have these fundraisers, I don't know how we would pay for this work." Prokop referred to the building as a "secret heritage place for Huron County:' The next event at the Van Egmond House will be held on June 12 for the annual Spring Breakfast. Dean O'Reilly, 7, is put into the new van he and his family recently received. Two years ago the community fundraised a substantial amount of money, so the family could have an easier time transporting Dean to special doctor appointments. of his abilities. This includes special glasses, $5200 foot braces, a walker and wheelchair and the list goes on, stated Char- lene. It was fine at the begin- ning, when Dean was much smaller, but as he got older, transportation became an issue. Along with Dean's needs, his two other siblings, Ben, 9, and his younger sis- ter, two-year-old Shaylyn, have a tally of daily engagements. "Dean is a growing big boy, we had a family van that we were transferring him in and out of with his wheel- chair. Then loading (his) wheelchair in the back," Charlene said. "If we were going to a family event and there was an area he could (move around) with the walker, then we would have to take two vehicles." The community of Sea - forth and the surrounding areas along with an eight - person committee noticed the family's predicament. Carting Dean adequately to the constant appointments at London's Children's Hos- pital and Thames Valley Children's Centre was just not comfortably doable. Following the family's demand for a better vehicle, the group of volunteers sprung into a state of urgency. Immediately they brainstormed ideas, a fund- raiser is what made the most sense. On May 24, 2014, the event known as Drive for Dean paved the way for a better tomorrow. No more back and arm strains from the continuous lifting of Dean in and out of his Safe bCk Storage Inc. www.safelockstorage.ca Call/text: 519-441-8711 Email: info@safelockstorage.ca 24 Winniees Rd Clinton ON Shaun Gregory The crew of locals who made the pasta dinner at the Van Egmond House possible. fi Shaun Gregory All the O'Reilly's stand next to their van that was donated to them. The day of the Drive for Dean, I couldn't believe how many people were there. When you're in it and you're having a hard time, you're just trying to battle through the day. And just to know that there is so many people out there," stated Dean's father, Jim O'Reilly. "We were lucky that we had a group that saw what we were going through. We will never forget it." wheelchair. "The day of the Drive for Dean, I couldn't believe how many people were there. When you're in it and you're having a hard time, you're just trying to battle through the day. And just to know that there is so many people out there," stated Dean's father, Jim O'Reilly. "We were lucky that we had a group that saw what we were going through. We will never forget it:' It's been two years since the special night that saw a rural populace join together for Dean, a boy in an under- standable demand. Now, the O'Reilly's prayers have been answered. A 2016 Ford Transit Wagon is parked in their driveway, a vehicle worth approximately $40,000 but with the necessary adjustments for a wheelchair, tops out at about $60,000. It took a while to pur- chase because it needed to be specially detailed by a conver- sion company in London. However, the days of pack- ing the family mini -van are something in the past. The future is a modernized utility van with a mechanical arm that's capable of lifting Dean anywhere whether it be grass or sidewalks, nothing is stop- ping him from reaching his destination, his mother said. "We've said it so many times before it takes a village to raise a child. We are lucky to have so many villages around in Huron County," said Charlene. "They've rallied behind us, this van is completely life changing."