The family has signed up for Public Aide, food stamps, Social Security benefits, the Naperville Loaves and Fishes has invited the family to utilize their facility. A licensed professional counselor has donated his time and expertise in helping the family cope with their recent tragedy. Christ Community Church has signed the family up/and will pay for Angels Food, the have also given the family a gift card for Meijer, and has offered the church as a location for a concert, if we are able to confirm Matt West to come.   The family who was loaning their car to the Deland’s has given them the title to the car. The Social Worker from the children’s school has contacted the family and is assisting Denise with school fees, registration and their lunch program.  A very thoughtful lady by the name of Dee contacted the local YMCA and was successful in obtaining a 3 month pass for the family, after the YMCA people came to the home, and extended the pass for one year.   The YMCA is working with the children, setting up a training program focusing on increase strength. The theater at 95Th and 59 has given the family a gift card allowing the family to have a couple of hours of fun and to take their minds off their troubles.

The Deland Community Foundation is paying the August and September rent, and electric bills. The foundation has also paid the fees to license and transfer the title of the car donated to the family. This was possible because of people like you. Thank You really doesn’t begin to describe our deep feelings of gratitude shown by all of you.

The Deland Community Foundation isn’t done yet! The families BASIC needs have been met: shelter, electric, food, transportation and education. Prior to this tragedy, Denise and her children had a husband and father they depended on, he was their life line. Robert was their security. The foundation could NEVER take his place, but it can offer a small amount of comfort to Denise by raising enough money for a “nest egg”, if you will. We are trying to think future:  Denise has decided to stay at the farmhouse which she currently rents. She feels up-rooting the children now would be a mistake, they feel safe there, and there are so many good memories of Robert for her and the children there as well.  Denise also says she can not go thru Robert’s things, she, understandably could not handle that at this time.  Denise says she has friends that are willing and able to continue the up keep on the house, but Denise also admits she is aware they will need to move eventually. Denise mentioned that her landlord has been extremely generous and patient with their financial situation in the past five years that the family has been there, and she feels he will continue to be understanding of their current situation. That in itself gives Denise a great deal of relief and comfort.
The money raised by the foundation will assist the family with future expenses, such as, Car repairs, security deposit for a new rental home, medical bills, and home repairs.  Wouldn’t it be a beautiful blessing if we could raise enough funds to put them into a home they could call their own!!!!!!!!

We have received many e-mails and phone calls requesting tangible items people could donate vs. cash.

We visit with Denise frequently and always ask if she or the children need anything. She has never asked for anything except some assistance with her rent and electric bill until her Social Security check arrives.
We can make some suggestions:  The Deland’s daughter is 15 years old, a sophomore in high school. I think she may enjoy a gift card for the mall, maybe one of the stores the teens like to shop at so she can purchase some NEW school clothes. The 3 younger boys are 11, 13, and 17 maybe some mall gift cards for them as well.  The Deland’s have always shopped at the goodwill stores and will continue to do so, this is just a thought.  Fire wood will be needed for the winter to heat the house. The children may need shoes, maybe a gift card for a shoe store, and/or a gift card for hair cuts.  The farm house does not have phone wires to connect a phone, however the land lord operates his business in the building behind the house the Deland family lives in, he has wireless computer excess, and wouldn’t it be nice to set the family up with a computer.  When Denise found out about our web site, she had to go to the library to “check it out”, the children could benefit from a computer as well for school work.  Thinking future:  Denise could familiarize herself in using a computer for a possible future employment.

Monetary and tangible items can be dropped off at the Harris Bank in Naperville, the address and phone number is listed on the contact page.
Thank You Again and,
God Bess All

 They are the proud parents of 6 children ages: 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, and 22. Three of the six children have cystic fibrosis, one of which also has cancer.  The 17 year old is the most ill and requires frequent hospital visits.

Please Go to www.delandfoundation.com to read the rest of the story and donate if you can.  Thank you