North Aurora firefighter not the only one who can benefit
It helps to have friends in high places -- like at city hall.
And Tricia Ordaz has a friend with the city of Batavia who is helping her with a charitable cause for her husband.
Marco Ordaz, a 29-year-old North Aurora firefighter and paramedic who was diagnosed with leukemia late last year, is in need of bone marrow and blood. After an initial seven months of chemotherapy, the disease went into remission, but Ordaz suffered a setback when a relapse occurred in June.
Enter Amy Vidlak Girmscheld, that friend of Tricia Ordaz.
Girmscheld helped arrange for Batavia City Hall to be the site Friday for a bone marrow and blood donation drive.
"Those who participate can choose to do either or both," said Samantha DiMaggio-Henry of the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago, where Ordaz is being treated.
"Those interested in being bone marrow donors will fill out a registration form and have a cheek swab taken for further testing, so they are actually joining a registry," DiMaggio-Henry said.
The hospitals are desperate for bone marrow donors, especially for minorities, DiMaggio-Henry said.
They are trying to change those numbers by encouraging people to sign up for possible further testing, she added.
Marco previously worked for the Batavia Fire Department and Tricia was born, raised and is working in Batavia. So organizers are hoping the community will rally around this cause.
The drive for Marco Ordaz will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Batavia City Hall. Anyone seeking more information or to make an appointment can contact DiMaggio-Henry at (312) 996-1344 or Girmscheld at (630) 879-2446.
Not the last for tots
It won't be the last time Ray's Evergreen in St. Charles spreads holiday cheer for those less fortunate, but there is a countdown by patrons of the West Main Street tavern.
Ray's will shut its doors in 2009, making this year's Christmas dinner on Dec. 9 for the benefit of the Salvation Army's Toys for Tots program its second-to-last.
To make this event continue to be the success it has in the past (raising nearly $110,000 for the program), individuals and businesses are asked to donate merchandise to be sold or auctioned at the dinner.
Those interested in donating can drop off items at Ray's Evergreen, 1400 W. Main St., or have them picked up by calling (630) 584-3535.
Those test runs
What's so special about a tree-lighting ceremony when the tree is already lit? That's basically what a reader was asking me about the Christmas lights in downtown St. Charles and in Lincoln Park being fully lit earlier in the week and on display prior to last Friday's official "Lighting of the Lights" ceremony.
Things have become a little more complicated regarding lighting ceremonies it seems. Let's not forget that St. Charles added lights along street light poles deep into the west and east sides of town in the past few years. So there are more lights to test.
And that's what the folks in the city's electricity department tell me has to take place. The lights are tested to make sure they aren't malfunctioning or overloading power in spots, or that some vandalism hasn't occurred.
It gives everyone involved a little more confidence when that light switch is pulled during the traditional ceremony to signal the official start to holiday cheer on the streets of the city.
Now that's early
Did I see that correctly? Did one of the major department stores open at 4 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving? That probably shouldn't be called a "door busters" sale. It would be more like a "sleep walkers" or "insomnia" sale.
I suppose it's not a bad time if you don't like crowds. I just feel bad for the employees who drew that short straw and had to show up, probably around 3 a.m., to get the store ready for opening.
dheun@sbcglobal.net