Page 4 - The Islander - December '23

Page 4, The Islander

Charity event from page 1 Flint Technologies donated a laptop
computer as it has for many years, It’s
crazy inspiration for the Sugar contributed boxes of Schweddy Balls,
evening. With the support and golf-related raffle items provided by
of hundreds of the firm’s Tequesta Country Club to ensure that spirits
friends and family over were high and contributions kept coming as
the years, Adam and everyone tried their luck in the evening’s
Lissa Gumson of Jupiter games of chance. And of course, Jupiter Law
Law Center have raised Center’s staff once again put in countless
almost $600,000 in hours of coordination and were there for the
donations to the Aicardi evening, insuring guests were welcomed and
Syndrome Foundation, a coordinating donations and raffle efforts.
100 percent volunteer run Nearly $40,000 was raised for the Aicardi
nonprofit organization. Syndrome Foundation and more donations
The signature event will continue to arrive through the balance
is an Annual Halloween of the year. The event is a passion project
Aicardi Costume Party. for Adam and Lissa Gumson, whose oldest
This year’s October extravaganza saw attendees dressing like daughter, Ava, was diagnosed as a baby
their favorite SNL character. From the “nice” of Roseanna with Aicardi Syndrome, a rare congenital
Roseannadanna to the “naughty” that can’t be printed in a neurological seizure disorder which inhibits
polite paper (let’s just say there were strategically placed the normal development of motor skills,
holiday wrapped boxes involved), partygoers reached sight and speech, causing mild to profound
into the archives for inspiration. The muse for this annual developmental delays. When she was
affair – Lissa and Adam’s daughter Ava – came as a Spartan diagnosed, the Gumsons were informed that
cheerleader (as did many others in attendance), ready to cheer Ava’s life expectancy was no more than two
on guests who donned costumes spanning the decades, from years. Now 19, Ava continues to defy the
the early years of Killer Bees, Blues Brothers, Land Sharks, odds. She attends The Learning Academy on
Wild and Crazy Guys and Father Guido Sarducci to Da Bears the campus of the Els Center of Excellence
fans, Hans and Franz, Wayne and Garth, Mary Katherine and although she is nonverbal, severely
Gallagher, Opera Man, and Sally O’Malley. delayed and has multiple daily seizures, she
Classic SNL skits pulsed from big screen TVs, fun music is a happy, joyful girl.
kept the energy high and people on their feet, there were Adam and Lissa have become more and
photo ops in front of iconic SNL backdrops and the food more involved with the foundation each year.
and drinks from Tequesta Country Club staff dressed as What started as a small party with friends and
Coneheads kept everyone fueled in style. family hosted at the Gumsons’ home in the
early years has blossomed into a major annual event now Aicardi Syndrome, there is very little money for research
held at the Tequesta Country Club. The monies raised and the foundation is made up entirely of volunteers
since 2006 help the foundation to fund research grants at (mostly the affected families and their extended family
both Baylor University and the University of California and friends).
at San Francisco, underwrite the cost of wheelchairs To learn more about Aicardi Syndrome, the Aicardi
and equipment that otherwise may not be obtainable and Syndrome Foundation or Ava Shaye Gumson and/or the other
subsidize the cost for Aicardi families to attend the every- Aicardi girls, log on to www.aicardisyndromefoundation.
other-year Family Conference where people from all over org and/or www.ouraicardilife.org or contact Jupiter Law
the world gather to exchange information. This, in turn, Center at (561) 744-4600 if you have any other questions
enhances each family’s ability to care for its own Aicardi about Aicardi Syndrome or about how you can help
child. Since only 4,000 girls worldwide are afflicted with support the foundation.

Singer SPotlight from page 1

At Safe Harbor, homeless youth who are in the
midst of a crisis find immediate safety, counseling
and basic necessities. During their temporary stay
with the Children’s Home Society, the shelter works
with families to access support, therapy and other local
resources that can help youth address the crises they
are experiencing. Following discharge, Safe Harbor
staff will support the reunited family for up to 180
days to insure a smooth and successful transition.
In March, the BallenIsles Charities Foundation
announced 53 financial grants and four impact
grants totaling a record $1,236,000. Each applicant
organization is thoroughly vetted and must demonstrate
sound financial and management practices while their
proposed program must meet a critical community
need. The record funds raised are a credit to the
generosity of BallenIsles residents, local businesses
and corporate sponsors, contributions from volunteers,
as well as BallenIsles club management and the
community association.
For more information about the BallenIsles Charities
Foundation, visit www.BallenIslesCharitiesFoundation.
org. For more information on BallenIsles Country
Club, visit www.BallenIsles.org.