Dacian Filipescu is a few thousand dollars closer to his dream ride after collecting a sizeable cheque towards the cause this week.
The 10-year-old and his family were on-hand Tuesday to accept a $3,750 donation from Uptown’s Cascadia Liquor Store to go towards Dacian’s Lake Hill Community Challenge, a $45,000 fundraiser to purchase a wheelchair adapted van for Dacian, who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“This is a huge cheque,” said Dacian, laughing.
The disease means Dacian is gradually becoming more tired, and his reliance on his wheelchair is increasing as he seeks to keep up with his friends.
Neighbourhood friend Angelika Fox is helping mom Delia and dad Cosmin organize the Lake Hill Community Challenge, which was nearing $14,000 this week.
“We’ve had a busy summer of events with a lemonade stand visited by Saanich Fire Department, bottle returns, a book sale, garage sale and individual donations,” the support has been great,” Fox said. “It’s a parent supported concept but it’s all of the kids helping Dacian out.”
Fox is a wine rep for Stone Road, an Okanagan winery. She approached Cascadia, who sells the product, and they agreed to set up a donation program with contributions from the sale of each bottle of Stone Road at all five Cascadia locations in the region.
It made up the bulk of the $3,750 with additional money from donated bottle returns and Cascadia’s by-donation ice.
Saturday is Dacian’s 10th birthday party and it’s going to be a big one.
Dacian and friends are hosting an open invitation to the community at Saanich Commonwealth Place tomorrow (Sept. 20) starting at 11 a.m., an afternoon of wheelchair games (for all).
Entry is by donation, with cupcakes donated by two stores, Ooh La La and Uptown’s Original Cupcakes by Heather and Lori. Commonwealth Place donated the gym time.
The Lake Hill Community Challenge is lining up other events for later this fall. Dacian’s friends are already very excited about the Oct. 25 Lego party, in which kids (and adults) have access to the Victoria Lego User Group’s plethora of plastic pieces.
Seach for the Van for Dacian fundraising site at youcaring.com, or bit.ly/1qdmqHr.
reporter@saanichnews.com