The family of Mary Anne Johnson, who is fighting ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), invites you to a benefit in her honor.
Held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday March 5 at the Belgium Cold Springs Fire Department on River Road in Baldwinsville, the event will feature door prizes, raffles, food and music. Tickets are $10 and include being entered in the door prize drawing for an Apple “IPAD” and a flat screen television. You do not need to be present to win.
A resident of Camillus, Mary Anne is only able to get around by walker or wheel chair and is on a respirator about 18 hours a day. Due to her deteriorating condition, she must move into her daughter Melanie Bixby’s home in Syracuse where she can be better cared for.
“Her care is becoming more burdensome as she is no longer able to live on her own and care for herself,” said Mary Anne’s other daughter, Christine Weeks, who is a school resource officer at Durgee Junior High School and an officer with the Baldwinsville Police Department for the past 15 years.
Proceeds from the benefit will help cover the cost of home modifications made at her daughter’s home to meet Mary Anne’s needs, as well as nursing and end of life expenses.
According to the web site maryannes-miracle.info, Mary Anne’s health began to decline in 1999 when she was diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS). In 2005, the disease progressed and she was diagnosed with ALS.
“[The site] describes some back ground on her life and what the purpose of our benefit is and why we are doing it,” Weeks said. “Donations can be made directly to the site using Pay Pal or a major credit card.”
For more information, visit the site at maryannes-miracle.info.
“The success of this day depends on the generosity of our family, friends and our community,” Weeks said. “We can’t do this without your help.”
