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Tuesday, July 01 2008 |
Local parents major supporters
of Ronald McDonald House following death of son
By BEKCY HAND
Community Editor
Stephanie Carpenter and Shawn Pierce, through the loss of a son, have become advocates for the Ronald McDonald House in Indianapolis.
In 2007, just a week before their 5 month old son succumbed to problems he had from birth, the family was able to collect more than 577,000 aluminum pop tabs and were one of the largest donors to contribute to the Ronald McDonald Pop Tab Drop.
This year, they hope to do more, looking for one million tabs and donations to give in memory of their son, Michael Glen.
Michael was the first person born in the U.S. with progressive encephalopathy with edema, hypsarrythmia and optic atrophy syndrome.
Only 46 cases of this genetic disease have been documented worldwide.
Ronald McDonald House in Indianapolis made the stress of this situation as little as possible for Michael’s parents.
“Without the wonderful people at the Ronald McDonald House I would have had to stay at the hospital. The staff and volunteers were so wonderful and generous and made me feel like I was a part of their family while I stayed there,” Carpenter said.
“They were my rock when all else around me seemed to be tumbling down.”
Michael was able to be present at the pop tab drop last year, but died about a week after, on Aug. 8.
It may be coincidence, but this year’s drop will be on the anniversary of Michael’s death, Aug. 8.
Carpenter hopes to set up an account for donations and has three drop locations for the pop tabs so far: Adela’s Hair Studio on Main St.; Crossroads Bank and The Post & Mail on Connexion Way. Also at these addresses: 115 Rolling Hills and 2367 W 700 N (Loon Lake) all in Columbia City.
For more information or to be included as a drop location, call Carpenter at (260) 438-3624. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, July 02 2008 )
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