Fundraisers will benefit church's project for local family

A magic show, a car wash and a pancake breakfast have been scheduled to support the St. Patrick Catholic Church youth ministry's "Extreme Makeover: Faith Edition."

Volunteers will transform the family room of John and Susan Gautille of St. Charles into a game room Aug. 8, 9 and 10. The Gautilles' son Nick, 11, has a rare metabolic disorder called L-Chadd, which makes him extremely sensitive to mold. The ceiling in the room will be removed, washed and reinsulated, drywalled and painted to provide a safe place for Nick and his friends to gather.

"Imagination," a benefit featuring a magic and comedy performance by Ryne Strom, a member of the youth ministry, will be held at 7:30 p.m. July 26 at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles (on the campus of St. Charles East High School).

There will also be a car wash fundraiser from 3 to 5:30 p.m. July 26 and from 8 a.m. to noon July 27 at the Crane Road church, 6N491 Crane Road.

Donations for the project will be accepted at a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 3 at the Crane Road church. The Gautille family will be present at the pancake breakfast.

Strom, 22, of St. Charles, has been a member of St. Patrick's all his life.

"I'll do a wide variety of stage illusions, people disappearing and appearing, people levitating," he said of his July 26 performance. "There will be a lot that people haven't seen on television because I do a different kind of show. No camera tricks, of course. And my show has more music and dancing. There will be a lot of audience participation, and it's definitely a family show."

Strom began performing at birthday parties at age 8. He has done college events for sororities and fraternities, but he says that this will be his biggest production. He has been influenced by his uncle, illusionist Terry Evanswood.

Tickets for the magic show are $10 for adults, $5 for children and $20 for a family pass. All proceeds will support the "makeover" project.

Tickets can be purchased after masses at the Crane Road church and the downtown church at 408 Cedar St. in St. Charles. They can also be purchased at the Norris Center the evening of the performance.

For information on the project, visit www.extrememakeoverfaith.com.