Fundraiser for Elk Grove boy close to its goal

It seems anyone who has come into contact with 6-year-old Gabriel Gonzalez has been touched by his story.

Some 300 family and friends have donated to a fundraiser aiming to raise $70,000 for a wheelchair-accessible van for the Elk Grove Village boy born with cerebral palsy.

Even Gabriel's older brothers have collected $400 in loose change to help their brother's cause.

Now the fundraiser is in the home stretch, with only $15,000 to go, and organizers are turning to the community to help them reach their goal.

Right now, the family takes Gabriel to and from doctor's appointments and therapy sessions in their Honda minivan, lifting him in and out of his wheelchair with each trip. An accessible van has a ramp that would allow him to stay in his chair and roll in and out easily.

The fundraiser is being spearheaded by Rita Angelini, who met Gabriel's family at a retreat organized by Building Great Beginnings, an organization that supports families of children with special needs. Angelini lost her own daughter to cerebral palsy, but has since dedicated her time to Gabriel's family as a source of information and support.

"She's become kind of a trusted guide along this weird journey," said Yvonne Anderson, Gabriel's mother. "She's been a vital part of our life."

Angelini has helped raise money over the last two years with The Friends of Nathan Foundation, which provides financial support to children with cerebral palsy and other diseases.

Gabriel's brothers, 11-year-old Timothy and 8-year-old Samuel, also were able to fill a gallon-sized container with quarters, dimes and even some bills. The container once served as the "family fun jar" for movies, pizza, and other things, but the boys decided they wanted to collect and save for their brother's van, Anderson said.

Donations can be made to The Friends of Nathan Foundation, 1061 Warwick Circle North, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169, and indicate Gabriel's van, or visit thefonf.org.