Tony Albanese Fund
The first step towards Tony's independence was realized last year with the purchase of a specially equipped wheelchair van. To help pay for the wheelchair van, generous donations from extended family members and friends along with contributions from those in the community have amounted to a little over $4,000 collected to date.
Tony's parents made up the $27,000 difference for the one-year old van by tapping into a nearly depleted reverse mortgage on their home.
Since a full time caregiver must care for Tony, there was little choice but to have his elderly parents provide around-the-clock care for Tony's most basic needs at their home in Nevada. To handle the more difficult responsibilities, a professional caregiver has been hired to help out for a couple of hours each day. Tony's caregiver bathes and dresses him and transfers him from bed to his power wheelchair by using a Hoyer Lift. In the evening, Tony's parents have been managing to get him back into bed without any additional assistance. While not a perfect solution, having a part-time caregiver is expected to save Tony's family thousands of dollars each month.
Plans for Tony's assistance dog have been on hold for a little while now. With the move in August, and having to find new doctors, he's been focused on just getting settled in. Tony has set his goal to help cover the monthly cost paid for by his family. In order to do this, we are proposing a number of creative financial solutions that would place everything under one large umbrella, or more appropriately stated, under one roof.
Under One Roof would operate through a "United Way" approach. That is, where a small deduction from each paycheck could add up to a considerable amount if multiplied by hundreds or even thousands of participants. With the express goal of having a large base from around the world to help Tony's cause, a small weekly amount of as little as .99¢ per participant could provide a considerable amount of financial relief, helping to end the shortfall currently being faced. It would be like pennies from heaven in a heavy downpour.
Other possible ways to help out could include the following:
- Sponsor a fundraising event for Tony
- Ask your family, your workplace, your community service groups or church to help
- Airport collection boxes where people can donate coins and dollars to Tony's fund (more pennies from heaven)
Last year, a group of Tony's friends started a corporation called The Fullerton Chair Force to help train disabled pilots who are in wheelchairs. Some of the profits from this business would help Tony pay his medical bills. More on this story to follow soon.
New 'Leash' on Life
Thanks to last year's grassroots effort to help Tony raise funds for an assistance dog and a wheelchair van. Friends helped Tony by making a contribution to his fund. Everyone who donated had a new leash on life image (as seen in the picture on the right) added to their name on the friends page.
Thank you to the current list of contributors (updated: October 1, 2007) to Tony's New Leash on Life who include the following:
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A very special thank you to Jackie Rossetti, Jackie DeCosta, Chuck Davis and the numerous other volunteers for their Airport Day 2006 fundraising efforts for Tony.
Deposits to the Tony Albanese Fund (account: 0983035885) can be made at any Washington Mutual branch on Tony's behalf. Be sure to include the account number on the check. You can also send a check to Tony directly at the following address.
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Note that contributions sent directly to or made at Washington Mutual branches are anonymous. If you prefer to send a card or note with your contribution, please mail it directly to the address above.
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Whether by Water, Wings or Wheels ... Life Is A Journey, Not A Destination.