RYAN’S HOPE
A Benefit for Ryan Burbank
Saturday, November 17, 2012
7pm -11pm
Maplewood Woman’s Club
Ryan Burbank is an 18 year old Maplewood resident who became paralyzed from the chest down after a backyard pool accident on July 1st. He had an emergency operation that fused parts of his spinal cord and then over two months of therapy at the Kessler Institute. Ryan now is back home with his parents, Carolyn and Eric, and his two brothers. He faces many more months of therapy and care.
Ryan is a former member of the Columbia High School lacrosse team and has been a volunteer around town, including with the South Orange Elks and Hilton Neighborhood Association. He also worked at Village Trattoria and Village Burger. Ryan’s dad, Eric, is the Director of Maplewood’s Department of Public Works.
Friends of the Burbank family are undertaking the November 17th benefit to assist with the purchase of a wheelchair van, alterations to the Burbank’s home, and other items that Ryan might need. The HK Community Fund is the sponsor of this fund raising event. We expect more than 200 people to attend.
We are asking the Maplewood community to help us make this event a success by contributing items that we can raffle off – merchandise, gift certificates, sporting/concert tickets, services, etc. We will be placing the names of donors next to each raffle item and also announcing the donors during the event.
If you would like to help, you can respond to me through this e-mail or you can call Janey De Luca at 973-378-8906. We also will have members of our committee visiting local businesses over the next few weeks.
Many of you have been very generous over the years in support of our community and its residents. We have another opportunity to help someone in need. I know Ryan would appreciate your assistance.
Thanks.
Vic De Luca
