Donations at Once Upon a Child, Urbandale - For an Accessible Van for Madalyn - April 12-14

COMMUNITY RALLYING TO FUND VAN FOR 7-YEAR-OLD WITH DISABILITIES Over $8,000 Raised in 2 Months to Fuel Care & Access for Madalyn Urbandale, Iowa—The extended community of 7-year-old Madalyn Shepherd is rallying to help bring an accessible vehicle within reach for her family so she can access medical care, therapy, community events, and more. Madalyn faces lifelong challenges, but a fundraising campaign with the trusted nonprofit Help Hope Live will ensure she can stay mobile, active, and joyful. In addition to online donations at helphopelive.org, an upcoming in-person fundraiser will take place April 12-14 at Once Upon a Child Urbandale at 10465 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50322. Drop off clothes (newborn to small adult and maternity), toys, and baby equipment during open hours (Fri/Sat 10 am to 8 pm, Sun 11 am to 6 pm) and specify that funds received would go to Help Hope Live in honor of Madalyn Shepherd. Madalyn is living with an Undiagnosed Neurological Condition that doctors from several major hospitals can’t treat or cure. She has limited verbal abilities, uses a wheelchair for mobility, and has supplemental feedings through a feeding tube. Madalyn requires round the clock care with a developmental age estimated at between 2 and 3 years old. Despite all these challenges, as her mom Elizabeth Shepherd explains, “She is the embodiment of joy.” Madalyn loves to “sing” at church, laugh at her siblings, and participate in horse therapy. Like other 7-year-olds, she loves to play in the pool with assistance—and she hates broccoli and having her hair or teeth brushed. Her family has faced many out-of-pocket expenses related to Madalyn’s care, but they are now facing a daunting financial burden. Madalyn is getting too big to lift into a car seat. To maintain her access to weekly therapies, medical appointments, church, community events, and family activities, they will need an accessible van. Her community is working to raise $50,000 toward the purchase of an accessible van. That $50,000 will certainly help, but still will require a financial investment from the family. That’s why they’ve partnered with the trusted medical fundraising nonprofit Help Hope Live. Donations can be made at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/23317/ The community has already raised over $5,900 in just two months. Unlike a GoFundMe campaign, donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be managed by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient. Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $181 million to pay patient expenses.

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Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2358169-0

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