A five year old Cottage Grove boy’s family is holding a benefit for 4 Paws for Ability to help him acquire a service dog to cope with the difficulties of living with an incurable brain disorder called “Chiari Malformation” on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at the Cottage Grove VFW from 12-5pm.
Caleb Maaske was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation on August 31, 2012. Right after his 2nd birthday, he had brain surgery to increase his ability to talk and not be in as much pain as he had been previously. Because of the brain disorder, he suffers with stomach and headaches, balance, walking and seizures.
Caleb’s parents, Rachael and Chad Maaske, have been advised by Caleb’s therapists and physicians that a service dog would help Caleb better cope with the incurable condition, so they have partnered with 4 Paws for Ability to get a service dog for him. Training the service animals costs about $22,000 each, so the 4 Paws for Ability foundation requests that families fundraise $15,000 of the $22,000 for the dogs themselves.
Rachael and Chad have arranged a benefit fundraiser for Sunday, February 21, 2016 at the VFW in Cottage Grove from 12 – 5pm. The benefit includes a spaghetti dinner provided by Carbone’s Pizza and the Olive Garden, a raffle, silent auction, bake sale, beer raffle, music and entertainment for the entire family. Pre-event tickets are available Friday and Saturday (2/19-2/20) at Dennis Bros Liquors in Cottage Grove or at the door the day of the event.
Online donations are also accepted at: Rachael Maaske/Servicedog or 4 Paws For Ability (please include “Caleb Maaske” when entering your tax-deductible donation on the 4 Paws For Ability website).
More information on Caleb’s story can be found at the family’s CaringBridge page.
Some of the items in the silent auction include:
