Hendricks County Flyer, Avon, IN

Local News

March 2, 2010

Fund prepares to celebrate one-year anniversary

BROWNSBURG — After an accident left John Wassen paralyzed from the shoulders down, good friends Jim and Skip Tennancour, along with John’s wife Tamie, took action.

The four, who began with just a vision to not only raise money for the Wassen family, but also to begin an organization to assist other people with spinal cord injuries, will celebrate their one-year anniversary of the SCI Hope Fund next month.

“March will be our one-year anniversary,” Jim said. “We kicked off last March. I think we’ve helped five individuals. It’s been neat just to see the joy in their faces.”

They are expecting about 225 people to attend a dinner and auction, which is a similar crowd to last year’s kick-off event.

“The difference this year is that we have transitioned from fundraising personally for the Wassen family to fundraising for the SCI Hope Fund,” Skip said. “We are no longer funding the Wassens. This year will be the transition year, so we think that we’ll be even from last year.”

Angela Ganote will act as master of ceremonies for this year’s event, just as she did last year. Joe Staysniak will be the keynote speaker.

In addition to the dinner and auction, they have a golf outing planned for Sept. 17 and a motorcycle ride on the following day by the Plainfield Eagle riders. From May 10-15, a pair of Brownsburg schools are assisting the fund with a putt-putt challenge.

“John has been working with two classes from the Brownsburg School Corporation,” Tamie said. “As their service learning project, they’re bringing awareness to individuals with disabilities. They’ve decided to build and put together a putt-putt course that will be at Reagan Elementary, in the parking lot. They’ve been working all year to promote it ... all of the proceeds will go to the SCI Hope Fund.”

John goes in at least once a week to meet with the class.

“It has been fun to watch,” Tamie said. “He’s gone from being the novelty item, where he’s a mystery and they’re checking out his chair, to now he’s just Mr. Wassen. He’s just the guy who happens to be in the chair. It’s kind of a life lesson for them.”

In addition to working with the students, the group has been working to raise awareness for individuals with paralysis throughout the community.

“One of the main things for us in an organization like this is getting awareness out,” Skip said. “People aren’t likely to participate or give money unless they have an understanding of what they’re doing. When you’re talking about paralysis, people don’t understand it and see it every day. People are afraid of it. They walk by people in a wheelchair and just kind of don’t look.”

The assistance for the families varies from purchasing a rugby wheelchair, to home renovations, to a handicapped-accessible van.

The SCI Hope Fund works along with the Hendricks County Community Foundation.

Though they do not currently have families needing assistance, they are accepting applications online. For more information or to apply, visit the website at www.scihope.org.

ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com

Text Only
Local News
  • Hoosier Crossroads Tour comes to Hendricks County

    Last July Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman was trying to decide what to do with the last year and a half of her term. She chose the opposite of easy.

    Skillman is embarking on what she calls the "Hoosier Crossroads Tour."

    February 10, 2012

  • Danville sets new rates for Blanton House rentals

    The town council here recently ratified new fees to rent the Blanton House.

    February 10, 2012

  • Police chief warns against scam

    Police Chief Keith Gill reported that two citizens here were recent victims of a new scam done by phone and e-mail.

    February 10, 2012

  • news sb impact.jpg Hendricks County officials are pleased with SB impact

    The City of Indianapolis wasn't the only community to benefit from Super Bowl XLVI. As host to one of the Super Celebration Sites, Hendricks County met its expectations with full hotel rooms and many restaurants and attractions reporting positive impacts from the big game.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • news zoo fundraiser.jpg Zoo Super Bowl fundraiser results in giant gift

    The New York Giants weren't the only big winners in Super Bowl XLVI. Giants more than 8,000 miles from Lucas Oil Stadium were big winners too.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • news exchange luggage drive.jpg Club holds luggage drive for Jordan’s Place

    AVON — Members of the Exchange Club of Hendricks County are again be collecting suitcases and bags for Jordan’s Place in Brownsburg.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • Brownsburg holds inaugural town hall meeting

    An estimated crowd of about 30 people attended the first of Brownsburg’s town hall meetings on Tuesday. The meetings were created to give an open forum to citizens who may not be able to attend evening council meetings. Council members Dwayne Sawyer and Rob Kendall said that goal was met.

    February 10, 2012

  • news fb catch.jpg Facebook page nets BPD a catch

    Early returns on the Brownsburg Crime Tips Facebook page are positive as one of the suspects featured has already been identified.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • Police investigate night time murder

    Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a report of a person shot at the 3100 block of N. Guilford Ave. just before 10 p.m. Wednesday.

    February 9, 2012

  • news women conf.jpg Women of Influence conference to target cancer

    One of life’s most ruthless opponents will be the focus of the third annual Women of Influence conference set for 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 1 at Five Star Catering at Primo West in Plainfield.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

Facebook
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Poll

Has Indianapolis done a good job of hosting the Super Bowl?

Yes
No
Not sure
     View Results
AP Video
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion' 5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La. Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com