Teen raises nearly $6,000 for Mooseheart party

Thanks to the resourcefulness and hard work of a Batavia teenager, the Christmas Eve party for children at Mooseheart should be a humdinger this year.

For 20 years, the Moose Lodge in Batavia has sponsored the party for children at Mooseheart Child City and School who don't get to leave campus for the holidays. The facility houses children from infancy to high school who either don't have parents or don't have stable homes.

The lodge has spent about $2,500 on the party in years past, but that budget will more than double this year.

The person responsible is Brad Duermit, 15, a sophomore at Batavia High School. In October, he began writing to over 1,000 Moose lodges around the nation asking if each could spare $5 for the party. The response has been overwhelming, with Duermit receiving nearly $6,000 in contributions.

"We've had a lot of people send in more than $5," Duermit said.

Duermit wanted to launch a volunteer project to help get considered for admission to college.

"They look for volunteer hours in addition to sports and good grades," Duermit said.

As his parents Robert and Julie are both associated with the Batavia Moose Lodge, making the holiday party at Mooseheart brighter seemed like the right thing to do.

"I talked to my dad and we thought it would be a good project," Duermit said. "It will help me and the kids at Mooseheart."

Duermit composed the letter and signed every one, mailing his request to 1,027 Moose lodges. He had help with the mailing from his parents, and his sister, 14, and brother, 10.

Contributions of $5, $10, $25, $50 and $100 came pouring in. Arkansas Lodge 942 in North Little Rock sent a check for $2,500. The lodge administrator Robert Douglas explained in a letter enclosed with the check that he knew many lodges were struggling in these tough economic times, and he wanted to make up for those who couldn't send the $5.

"We were speechless when we got that check," Duermit said. "It's been a great experience."

According to Mooseheart spokesman Darryl Mellema, about 20 children out of a census of about 250 attended the party last year. The festivities are held from 2 to 5 p.m. Christmas Eve and every child receives a present.

"One of the things we know about the Moose is that they like to do things for the children at Mooseheart," Mellema said. "To find someone this young who wants to help is really heartwarming. What Brad has done is just astounding."

Duermit plans to attend the party, but he doesn't want to be the center of attention.

"I want to see their reaction," he said. "It's all for the kids."

Mooseheart Child City and School houses about 230 students, from preschoolers to high school, on a 1,000-acre campus off Route 31 between Batavia and North Aurora.