Student's short film inspires picnic fundraiser for local mom

A short film produced by Barrington High School senior Brad Kopp was intended to inspire his peers to act responsibly and fulfill their potential. Instead, it inspired his community and led to a fundraising picnic.

"Picnic in the Park for Paulina" takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 19 in Citizen's Park, 511 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington. A $20 donation per family is suggested.

The event is designed to help with medical costs for Barrington resident Paulina Messina, who was diagnosed with stage four medullary thyroid cancer in 2006, which has metastasized and created inoperable tumors in her brain and breast, as well as several behind her heart.

Messina, a mother of two, is unable to work and currently is enrolled in a clinical trial through the University of Chicago.

Activities at the family picnic will include music by the classic rock band Second Time Around, as well as bakery items, games, contests, caricatures, face painting and a raffle.

Guests also will have the opportunity to explore the award-winning Citizen's Park, developed through a partnership between the Lake County Forest Preserve and the Barrington park districts, which opened last summer.

Its natural rock waterfalls greet visitors at the entrance, but open up to reveal landscaped gardens, natural wetlands and Cuba Marsh trails, as well as its 6,000-square-foot outdoor tree house with its open air deck, enclosed gazebo and cabin.

Kopp profiled Messina for a three-minute film for the Great Minds Video Challenge, held each year at Barrington High School and founded by graduate Joe Elias. In it, he lets Messina tell her story firsthand, with added comments from her husband and son.

"It's such a compelling story that I didn't have to do much," Kopp said. "She knew what she wanted to say, and she sat there and told her story. Her message is one of early detection and to get regular checkups.

"During the filming, it was hard to control my emotions," Kopp concedes. "It's so powerful just to hear it from her, and of all the other aspects from her family."

Kopp will hear later this summer if his video was an award winner in the contest, but in the minds of community members, including picnic organizer Chris Valentine of Barrington, he already is a winner for spreading Messina's story.

"Our goal is to raise money to support this family in need," Valentine said, "and to raise awareness about cancer prevention. Paulina is the type of person who always puts the needs of others first. Her message that inspires all of us is one of being grateful for what you have and to take care of yourself."

To view the video, visit www.greatmindsfoundation.org and search for "Living Strong."