A fundraiser will be held to benefit a Hope Elementary School child facing brain surgery today, as well as to support a local nonprofit that provides financial assistance to Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. students.
Students Fund of Hope will host Soups with Santa from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School, 9273 N. State Road 9. The event will feature 25 soups donated by local residents and businesses with free-will donations accepted, said Whitney Budd, president of the organization.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the family of Azlyn Whittington, a Hope Elementary School second-grade student who is having surgery to correct what is known as a Chiari malformation, a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Budd, who hopes to raise at least $2,000 during Friday’s fundraiser, created the Hope-based nonprofit organization in July as a way to provide financial relief to local students. Funds that are raised go toward covering depleted lunch accounts, clothing assistance or other needs that local individuals might have.
Budd said financial support will assist the Whittington family.
“Her family is extremely nervous and it’s a complex surgery and it’s right before the holiday, so we want to help them as best as we can,” Budd said. “We hope to give them a couple thousand (dollars).”
Whittington’s mother, Amber, said the Chiari malformation was discovered last month. Her 8-year-old daughter had been involved in a September dirt bike accident and underwent a head CT scan at the time, when the condition was revealed.
Azlyn Whittington has spinal fluid on her spinal cord due to the Chiari malformation and was scheduled to have surgery at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.
While much of the girl’s financial expenses tied to the surgery will be covered by medical insurance, but Amber Whittington said she plans to take three to four weeks of unpaid leave from her job to care for her daughter following the surgery.
She added that she is appreciative of the support her family has received from the local community.
“We’ve had all kinds of people reach out to us and help in different ways,” she said. “It’s truly amazing what our community does for each other.”
Individuals who attend Soups with Santa will get an opportunity to visit with Santa Claus, write a letter to Santa and have their photos taken together.
Unwrapped boxes filled with body wash, lotions, slipper socks and other personal care items for residents at Miller’s Merry Manor in Hope will be wrapped during the event.
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What: Fundraiser to benefit Students Fund of Hope and the family of Hope Elementary School student Azlyn Whittington
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School, 9273 N. State Road 9
Other information: Donations will be accepted. Funds can also be donated at any First Financial Bank in the area by designating their donation to Students Fund of Hope
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