NEWS

Upcoming Events:

Keep checking back. We are always working on new ideas for providing for Valarie's needs through her Trust Fund. Every penny donated is used for Valarie.

Recently:

Saturday, 24 Jan 2009

   We have used some of Valarie's funds to construct an All-seasons Room, which is connected to her bedroom/therapy room.  It is a bright, sunny space, surrounded by windows and heated.  Valarie  has access through French doors from her bedroom or sliding glass doors onto a new deck overlooking the fish pond and garden.  She can wheel down the ramp from her own roomy porch, for a walk around the garden.  The main feature of the new room will be a therapy pool, of which she now has great need.  We are hoping for the contribution of a pool from the Make-a-Wish Foundation or another generous donor.  You can see pictures and keep up with the new construction on the "My Journal" section of this site.

Saturday, 11 October 2008

   Shawn Cooper, a third-year medical student from Red Lion, PA, ran a 50k marathon for Valarie.  He included the Baltimore Marathon in his course.  He helped to raise about $6,000 for Valarie's fund.  Our family thanks him wholeheartedly!

September 2008

   "Links 2 Care", the agency which provides Valarie's aides, sponsored a sub sandwich sale, raising $800 for Valarie's Fund.  Their group have been a strength to our family for more than a year now!

April and May 2008

   Our family and close friends held a flower sale for Valarie's Fund. We took orders from many locations in the United States.  We did our part to help beautify America!

November 17, 2007

   Nut Sale.

September 1, 2007

   Valarie's Mommy, Christine Dunne, opens her beautiful new dog grooming shop, "Custom Canines"; which was built as part of the ABC 27 News Home Makeover.  Appointments may be scheduled by calling (717) 292-7351.  Mommy and Christine now have more time together!

June 29, 2007

   An evening of classical music, was held at the Heidelberg United Church of Christ, York, PA. Guests were invited to tour the historic building, followed by a concert presented by Michael and Teri Sue Abramson, of Red Lion, PA.  The music, featuring violin (Michael) and piano (Teri Sue) was moving.  "Samuel's Cafe' and Catering". of York, PA, provided elegant cookies and lemonade for the intermission refreshment.  Even Valarie tried to participate in the rousing applause!

February 17, 2007

   Our family organized a Pancake Breakfast, to help introduce our community to Valarie and her needs.  Our neighbors enjoyed pancakes, sausage, bacon, and scrapple with us at the Pine Grove United Methodist Church, York, PA.  We had a good time, made lots of new friends, and ate our fill!

October 14, 2006

   The parking lot of "Quaker City Paper", in York, PA, became the venue for a huge yard sale.  From morning until late afternoon, people shopped for the thousands of articles of clothing, home furnishings, books, tools, collectibles, dishes, games, puzzles, etc.  Hungry patrons enjoyed roast pork sandwiches and fixin's, provided by "George's Famous BBQ and Catering", of York, PA. 

We were able to give the first major boost to Valarie's Fund, while having a good time!

June 24, 2006

   Our first benefit for Valarie's Fund!  Space was contributed by "H&H Lighting", of Dallastown, Pa, as they opened their prime-location parking lot to us. A delicious, inexpensive meal of barbecued chicken, baked potato, applesauce, roll and butter, was prepared by "George's Famous BBQ & Catering", of York, PA.

Valarie spent the day learning to be "the hostess with the mostest"!

             Thank You!

We would like to send our deepest thank you's out to ALL the kind people that were involved in our Home Makeover (May 2007).  What a true blessing it has been for our family!  Thank you to ABC 27 News and Musser Builders for all their effort in making this dream for Valarie come true.  The actions of so many nameless people in our lives has truly restored our faith in mankind.  We were given a gift that could never have been bought or built when we were given the gift of being Valarie's parents!

Donation Locations:

We have pulled the canisters for the time being, but donations can still be made:

       c/o Fulton Bank

       1500 Kenneth Road

       York, PA 17408

MISSION STATEMENT

”We will do everything possible to maximize Valarie’s abilities.“

As Valarie’s parents we have learned so many things from Valarie and are still learning every day.  If her spirit could be turned into strength, we could move the world.  She has touched so many people in so many ways, but most of all she has touched us.  As the severity of Valarie’s disabilities have become more and more apparent, we have had to come to the realization that we are not going to be able to do this on our own.  This was a very hard thing for us to accept, as we have both worked hard for anything that we have and have always taken pride in being able to do it on our own.  It has been very humbling to realize that we are not going to be able to do this without help.  The cost of having what we need to maximize Valarie’s abilities would be overwhelming, to any family.  For starters we need to put a wheelchair ramp into the house.  Then we are going to have to put a handicapped addition onto our house, with a bedroom/therapy room/handicapped bathroom.  Then there are the special toys and equipment needed to give Valarie the littlest bit of independence and the opportunity to learn whatever she can.  In the future we will need a wheelchair van and I’m sure many things we cannot even possibly imagine at this point in time.    

If all of Valarie’s needs are fulfilled our intentions are to help other families with these special little girls and contribute to the National Aicardi’s Foundation so they can continue to research this rare syndrome. 

               Sean and Christine Dunne

To help us make our dreams for Valarie come 

          true we have started a trust fund.

           Checks can be made payable to:

The Valarie Dunne Trust Fund

C/O Fulton Bank

 1500 Kenneth Road

York, PA 17408

OR