|
For most Corona del Sol High School
students, the approach of May means the
approach of carefree freedom. But for
sophomore Clint Sorenson, the end of
school is bringing with it hospital
stays and chemotherapy treatments.
Late in March, doctors determined that
Sorenson’s leukemia had returned. He
would need a bone marrow transplant from
a match found in a nationwide donor
bank.
In an effort to defray the costs
associated with Sorenson’s treatment,
two teachers at Pueblo Middle
School—from where Sorenson graduated,
and where his mother taught until last
year—quickly began to organize a
large-scale fundraiser. They enlisted
the help of the Parent Teacher
Association and are planning an event
which PTA President Sandy Lowe predicts
will be one of the “most meaningful and
largest events that has ever been put
on” by the Pueblo PTA.
The May 3 fundraiser will involve an
Italian dinner at Carraba’s Italian
Grill at Ray and I-10. A raffle and
silent auction will complement the
dinner. Raffle prizes include a 15-inch
flat-screen television and an iPod
video.
“I’m pleasantly surprised,” Lowe said.
I thought that we would get a favorable
response, but I really am overwhelmed by
the reaction in the community.
“It’s wonderful to see this community so
united in this.”
She said the television and iPod were
donated by someone who’s never met the
Sorensons. She just wanted to help.
Getting donations from businesses for
the silent auction has been relatively
easy, she added--much easier than
collecting donations for general school
fundraisers.
“(Sorenson) is the most amazing,
phenomenal kid,” said Beth Salas, who is
co-chairing the fundraising committee,
and whose son is close friends with
Sorenson.
“He has the most unbelievable faith and
determination. He doesn’t let anything
get him down. He is definitely a
fighter. He’s just a really, really neat
kid.”
Raffle tickets cost $2 each or three for
$5. Dinner tickets are $10 for adults,
$8 for children under eight. For raffle
or dinner tickets, contact Pueblo Middle
School at (480) 783-2400 or Salas
personally at (602) 414-4456 or
bethdsalas@aol.com.
“I think the south Tempe and Chandler
area, we have kind of a small-town
feeling,” Lowe said.
“We all know each other. So when you
hear about something like this you just
want to help out. I’m very happy that
everyone is pitching in to make this a
great event.” |
