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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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:
