Danberry auction to benefit emergency assistance funds
Written by Kristen Criswell | | krapin@toledofreepress.comThe Danberry Treasure Chest, a nonprofit established by Danberry Co. Realtors, helps families with sick children at Toledo Children’s Hospital.
“What this organization does is just incredible,” said Molly Long, executive director of Toledo Children’s Hospital Foundation. “They raise funds and when a family has a child with a life threatening or chronic illness, money from the fund can support them and help pay their bills.”
The Danberry Treasure Chest is an emergency assistance fund established through the Toledo Community Foundation. Funds from the chest are given to the Toledo Children’s Hospital Foundation which works with social workers and families to administer the funds to those who need it most.
“It’s tough enough to deal with a child’s illness, when you experience financial difficulties at the same time it’s a double whammy. We can’t make the financial issues go away, but we can sure help them,” said Richard Baker, president of Danberry Co. Relators.
Each year, the fund gives away approximately $30,000 in assistance, Long said. Families can receive up to $1,500 each year, on three separate occasions, she said. Social workers nominate families for assistance and then the fund provides money for bills such as electric, gas or rent. The money isn’t given directly to the family, but the foundation takes their bills and pays for them, Long said.
“There is upheaval in the family because they have to be in the hospital with their child; sometimes they get caught up in really bad financial straits,” Long said. “The Treasure Chest can be a lifesaving fund for a child with a life threatening or chronic illness.”
On Oct. 14, Danberry Realtors will host an auction to benefi t the Danberry Treasure Chest.
“There are many, many more people in need of resources like this. It truly is fund of last resort,” said Lynn Fruth, CEO of Danberry Co. Realtors.
The event will feature both a live and silent auction and a speech from a family touched by the Danberry Treasure Chest. Auction items include theme baskets, sports tickets and massages as well as a week in a condo in Fort Myers, Fla.
In addition to the auction, Danberry branches host a couple events throughout the year to raise money for the fund. The Andersons also offers a Danberry Treasure Chest wine label that gives proceeds from sales back to the fund, Fruth said.
The auction is $60 a person and features a meal and complimentary wine. Th e event begins at 6 p.m. in the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons.
To purchase tickets, call Debbie Milnar at (419) 531-1331 Ext. 1404. For more information, visit www.danberry.com/danberry_charities.
