St. Jude Dream Home Sponsors, Supporters Turn Out for Floor Signing
CLOVIS – Dozens of St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway sponsors and supporters visited this year’s St. Jude Dream Home in De Young Properties’ CountryCourt community in Clovis Friday to write messages of love for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Brandon De Young, vice president of operations for De Young Properties
The floor signing for the 10th St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway occurred just over a week after the $100 raffle tickets went on sale for those who not only wanted to financially support the hospital, but win another gorgeous home produced by major donor and builder De Young Properties. This year, the home is a two-story structure and approximately 3,300 square feet in size.
“It’s an amazing turnout,” said Brandon De Young, vice president of operations for De Young Properties. “It just goes to show how much our trade partners really care, just as much as we do, to help donate toward the project.”
Cameryn Kaylor, event marketing representative for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, said that the Central Valley has raised over $1 million for the hospital during the giveaway over the past couple of years. This is significant, she said, since the cost of running the hospital daily is $1.8 million.
“Anything that the Central Valley is able to give and donate toward St. Jude is going to help all the kids, not only in the Central Valley but across the world,” Kaylor said.
The impact of St. Jude’s research and treatment in pediatric cancer has indeed been felt around the world, and Visalia in the Central Valley is no exception. Melanie Brainerd’s daughter, Madison, was diagnosed with a rare brain stem tumor when she was just 2-and-a-half years old. Madison underwent two brain surgeries, had to relearn to walk twice, and suffered through 18 months of chemotherapy. By the time Madison got to St. Jude, she was falling down, unable to walk and was drooling again.
But St. Jude is a place of hope and positivity. After eight weeks of conformed radiation there, her life was given back. She is now 11, and on her school’s track team.
“St. Jude gives them the support to do their life,” Brainerd said.
For more information and to reserve your ticket, visit http://www.stjude.org/dhfresno. The winner of the home will be announced on KMPH FOX 26 Nov. 10.
