Ball aids hospital for medically fragile kids

The power goes out in an apartment complex, and while some tenants are groaning about their missed TV shows, one mother panics as her child's ventilator slows to a stop.

Another family contemplates how they'll attend the funeral of their grandmother when they have a medically fragile child at home. Who can take care of her feeding tube and complicated medications?

Naperville-based Almost Home Kids is the only non-hospital facility in the state to care for medically fragile children who depend on technology. The not-for-profit facility employs 24-hour nurses to provide transitional and respite care for medically fragile children.

The organization, in turn, will get some assistance from this year's Naperville Jaycees Mardi Gras Charity Ball - an evening of dinner, drinks, entertainment and live and silent auctions that will benefit both the Naperville Jaycees and Almost Home Kids.

"It's a party for a cause," said Stacy Mayo, committee co-chairwoman for the 10th annual Mardi Gras. "You're out having a good time, but you're raising money for a cause at the same time."

The theme within the Mardi Gras theme this year is Mardi Gras chic cocktail attire.

"It doesn't need to be formal, but it's fun to add a Mardi Gras flair," Mayo said. "Purple, green and gold are the official Mardi Gras colors."

Beads and masks are available for purchase upon arrival.

Guests will dine on Cajun food and can cool their mouths with a beloved New Orleans drink, the Hurricane.

Music will be provided by The Lady Upstairs, a Naperville group that entertains ages 21 to 60, Mayo said.

"We have a wide range of people attending," she said. "It's really a good time for everyone who is involved. One of the fun things is to get dressed up, go out and go dancing. This has become an annual event for many people."

Auction packages include a guitar autographed by members of Train; a Jason Aldean-autographed guitar; private wine consultation from PRP Wine International for up to 12 people; gift certificates to Naperville Running Co., Harry W. Yassen Jewelers and more; and four Wrigley rooftop tickets.

All proceeds from the silent auction benefit Almost Home Kids.

Finding a baby-sitter for healthy children can be difficult enough, but for parents of medically fragile children, it's next to impossible.

"We really, really celebrate their lives here," said Deborah Grisko, president and CEO of Almost Home Kids. "These are pretty much the most medically complicated children we have in the state."

People travel from as far as Champaign and Peoria to use the services of Almost Home Kids, a 10-bed, 4,000-square foot facility on two acres in unincorporated DuPage County.

The facility serves as a link between hospital and home for many families. It provides transitional support while parents learn how to care for their child and prepare their homes for the equipment necessary to take care of them.

Additionally, it provides respite care for two to 14 days for families who need a break for whatever reason - family emergency, death in the family, vacation and personal reasons.

Nearly 75 percent of the people it serves are at or below poverty level.

The facility provides considerable savings to the state that would otherwise pay for many of the children to be hospitalized. Even so, the state covers only a portion of the costs to provide transitional care.

So the organization deeply appreciates community donations - it's how Almost Home Kids gets by, Grisko said.

"Donated dollars are how we're able to survive and provide these services," she said. "Our families are so bogged down with day-to-day things to do. It's very complicated raising a child like this, and they don't really have time to fundraise."

Tickets to the Mardi Gras Ball are $60 per person, or $500 to reserve a table of 10. Tickets must be purchased in advance on the Naperville Jaycee's Web site, naperjaycees.org; tickets won't be available the evening of the event.

"We thank the Naperville community and surrounding communities for their continuing support," Mayo said. "Without everyone putting their time into it and their dollars into it, we wouldn't be able to run the successful event that we have."

For details about the ball, visit naperjaycees.org.

For information about Almost Home Kids, visit almosthomekids.org.

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>If you go </b></p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>What:</b> Naperville Jaycees Mardi Gras Ball</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>When: </b>6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Where:</b> Northern Illinois University's Naperville Campus, 1120 E. Diehl Road</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Cost:</b> $60 per person, $500 for table of 10</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Info:</b> <a href="http://naperjaycees.org" target="new">naperjaycees.org</a></p>