'Rummage for Rosie' to benefit family of ailing 3-year-old
Been doing some spring cleaning lately, but don't want to have a garage sale yourself? Well, you can donate your (gently) used stuff to a community garage sale to help a local family.
"Rummage for Rosie," a neighborhood charity garage sale, will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 29, 30 and 31 at 1061 N. Penny Lane in Palatine. The sale will benefit 3-year-old Rosalea Colucci -- Rosie as she likes to be called -- and her family. Rosie has an inoperable brain tumor because of a neurofibromatosis.
The garage sale is the idea of the Colucci's neighbor Rachel Herod. The neighbors have been there all along Rosie's journey.
"The neighborhood has done so much for us. They have been so loving and supportive," said JoAnne Colucci, Rosie's mom. "This whole experience has been very humbling, people want to help and after a while, I had to let them. Frankly I needed the help, but I am not accustomed to asking. All the medical care and coordination takes over your life. I had to admit that there were nights I just couldn't get dinner on the table or days when I was just too exhausted to get Rosie's older sister off to school."
The neighbors started a care calendar for meals online for the Coluccis so family, friends and schoolmates could sign up to make meals. They took up a collection from the block and gave the Coluccis $500 in gift cards to Peapod. They make sure Rosie's big sister is looked after getting on and off the bus and have even taken her overnight when needed.
Neighbors have rallied around Rosie since she was diagnosed last September. To date, Rosie has had five brain surgeries because of shunt malfunctions and one general surgery to insert a venous port, eight hospital admissions and countless appointments with ophthalmologists, cardiologists, NF specialists, a neurosurgeon, neurologist, endocrinologists and oncology-hematology specialists.
Rosie's case has not been typical, in fact her case is rare, JoAnne said. "She has had many complications due to the location and type of tumor she has," she added.
Despite all the obstacles, hospital stays and medical attention she has needed over the last eight months, Rosie's spirit remains full and she is a joyful little girl who is incredibly strong and courageous. Rosie's current chemotherapy appears to be causing the tumor to shrink, which gives her family and friends great hope.
If you would like to donate items for the sale, drop off donations at 1061 N. Penny Lane. There will be a lemonade stand and bake sale too, and they are looking for volunteer bakers and workers. Contact JoAnne if you can help, at Research4Rosie@yahoo.com.
To learn more about the Coluccis' fundraising efforts, visit www.ResearchforRosie.com.
Summer reading: Don't forget to sign up for the Palatine library's summer reading program. Beginning June 1, all district cardholders, ages 2 through adult, can bring their library card and sign up at the Main Library, Freeman Road Branch or Rand Road Branch for the program called "Read … Naturally." The Bookmobile will begin signup June 7. A grand prize T-shirt and Reading Reward coupons will be presented upon completion of all of the reading requirements. T-shirts are provided by the Friends of the Palatine Library. The program ends July 31.