As we begin 2018, I’d like to personally thank all those who have contributed your time, gifts, and talents to the Keane Foundation over the past 12 months. A core group of supporters from the greater Atlanta area helped hold another successful fundraiser at Keegan’s Public House in Kennesaw (Thanks owner Pete McCaffery) that has allowed us to help families who need a little help due to family illness or tragedy. The foundation raised and distributed roughly $10,000 in 2017, with several of the stories behind the donations listed below.
Bowie Dupree – West Cobb, Georgia
In what can only be described as a freak bicycle accident in the spring of 2016, Bowie sustained life altering brain injuries that have required (and will require) extensive physical therapy. The Keane Foundation paid two months of health insurance premiums in 2017 (around $3500) to help put a dent in their ever mounting medical bills. Bowie and his mother were nice enough to make an appearance at our 2017 Atlanta event, which allowed supporters to see our work in person. For more information on Bowie and his status, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/279fbvg
Alex Marshall – Philadelphia
Alex’s mother Janet has been a friend to the Keane Foundation in the Philadelphia area for years. Her oldest son Alex is a Sophomore in college and in late 2016 was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Janet took a leave of absence from her job to care for Alex. The Keane Foundation provided $1000 to help with some of their expenses as Alex fights this disease.
Jay & Stacy Jarrett – Acworth, Georgia
About three years ago Jay started having memory issues. Little did Stacy know that this was the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Jay just turned 49, and now needs around the clock supervision. When the Keane Foundation became involved, Stacy was handling these responsibilities and that of raising their high school daughter. The Keane Foundation and friends of the foundation are working to put respite care in place, along with doing some upkeep on the family home (budgeted $2000).
Eric Augur – West Cobb, Georgia
Eric, Dana and their three kids have been friends with the Smith Family since their oldest son Trevor and Cole attended pre-school at Due West United Methodist Church in the mid-2000s. Eric was diagnosed with Colon Cancer in 2016. Throughout Eric’s battle, the family has been involved in raising money for other families in need, and been very stoic in their fight. For Christmas this year, the Keane Foundation helped fund a family get away to bring some much needed relief from their fight ($1000 towards gas, food, and dining for trip).
Mike Sundo – Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Mike suffered a life altering injury in 1995 when he fell 40 feet from a latter while working as a painter. Since that time, Mike has been paralyzed from the waist down. This year Mike’s custom equipped van needed to be replaced. The Keane Foundation donated $2000 to the cause to help get him back on the road.
Margaret Shipman – Asheville, North Carolina
Margaret is a shipping clerk that just retired from Low & Bonar (company where Kirk Smith works). After 44 years on the job, Margaret is retiring to take care of her three grand kids, two that have special needs. The Keane Foundation donated $400 to help give her and the grand kids a little extra this Christmas.
Karen Keane Smith Science Fair at Pickett’s Mill Elementary
The Keane foundation has made a 5 year commitment to fund their annual science fair that she founded in 2008. $500/year
Thanks again for all of your support. We will be putting out an invitation to our 2018 Atlanta event early in March (tentative date is Saturday, April 21st). To learn more about The Keane Foundation, or to make a donation, please visit our website atwww.thekeanefoundation.org