A charity formed by a local couple is helping children and adults with special needs.
Heather and Dean Clemmer of Drayton formed the charity Bringing Heaven to Earth in September, 2013. It provides families and caregivers of special-needs children and adults with funding for equipment, therapy and recreational items.
“In heaven, not one of us has to worry about disabilities, special needs, disease or equipment. We want to be able to bring a little piece of heaven here to Earth,” Heather said.
Heather and Dean’s family includes 11-year-old twins, Troy and Scott, Isabella, 8, and Emma, 3. Troy and Scott were born two and a half months premature.
Troy was born with cerebral palsy (CP). Emma, who was adopted into the Clemmer family in 2013, also has CP. The Clemmer family’s life is faith based.
Bringing Heaven To Earth board members include Heather Clemmer as president and Dean Clemmer as treasurer. Terri Ferris contributes her research skills to the charity. The board meets at the Clemmer home.
A Facebook page has been created by the board members. The purpose of this page is for people to have a place to post equipment or items related to someone with special needs. Items can be sold or donated to another family in need. The link is www.facebook.com Health and Special Needs Equipment (Ontario).
Heather prefers to use the term special abilities instead of disabilities. If someone has a label, she would prefer it to be more sensitive.
“Disability refers to things a person cannot do and they are disadvantaged. The truth is we all have special needs. These special needs or special abilities are just different than mine,” Heather said.
Current fundraisers for Bringing Heaven to Earth, include the production and sale of handmade rainbow-loom bracelets. Several members of the Drayton community are donating bracelets to the cause. Board members will be selling bracelets at the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival on April 5.
Plans are underway to have a local school participate in a fundraiser that involves a teacher or principal using a wheelchair for a day.
June 2014 is the month set for the major fundraiser of the year. A Wheel-a-thon will allow the community to participate and raise funds for the charity. Other fundraisers include unique ideas with goals to have a place to store equipment that can be distributed to families in need.
Those interested in supporting the charity is encouraged to pray, make monetary donations, or purchase handmade rainbow loom bracelets. Donations of rainbow loom rubber bands or already-crafted bracelets are greatly appreciated. Board members are working towards charitable status as funds become available.
The charity can be reached at 519-638-5001 or bringingheaventoearthinc@gmail.com.
