The community is coming together to throw a special teen the biggest birthday bash they can.
Doctors diagnosed Brendan Franco with liver cancer almost a year ago. He and his family travel frequently to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham for chemotherapy and other treatments, but on April 21 the only thing he will be focused on is celebrating his 13th birthday.
More than 100 volunteers are working to put together a birthday “Party for a Purpose” at BamaJam Farms not only to help his family with day-to-day expenses and medical bills but also to provide emotional support and show Brendan how much he is loved. Donations will be collected at one location during the event. Please include a card or letter of encouragement with your donation.
The community has prayed for Brendan and reached out to his family in many different ways.
“The birthday party is for anyone who loves Brendan,” party organizer Ashley Hilton said. “Even if you have never met him but you pray for him and have shared this journey with him, Brendan and his parents want you to come.”
Brendan’s party is from 4 to 7 p.m. Volunteers will be gathering at 10 a.m., April 21at BamaJam Farms to set up the site. Businesses donating food are asked to bring items to the site at 3 p.m. unless prior arrangements have been for pick up or delivery. Donations like chips, soda, bottled water, ice and paper products are still needed.
All food, drinks and entertainment at the party will be free to those who attend. Cutts is donating about 200 barbecue sandwiches, Cupcakes Ya’ll is furnishing the birthday cake, Snow-2-Go is providing snow cones, BamaJam Farms is donating hamburgers and a band to play at the event and Walmart is donating a gift card. Martin Environmental Services is donating garbage pick up services. The Game It Truck will be providing all sorts of games and fun. Face painting and Jump-a-Roos will also be provided.
The Enterprise School of Dance is expected to perform on stage. Also on hand for entertainment will be the Enterprise High School cheerleaders. Boy Scouts, Enterprise Girl’s Clubs and members of the EHS Anchor Club, JROTC, baseball and football teams are planning to volunteer. Soldiers from Fort Rucker will gather at 3:30 p.m. to park cars coming into the event. Attendees will turn off of Highway 167 and then enter the site at the first left off of Boy Scout Road, marked Gate 3.
After parking, please form a line along the dirt road and hold up signs to welcome Brendan as he joins the party.
Monetary donations are currently being accepted at Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union in an account in Brendan’s name or by way of donation cans at Cupcakes Y’all and Milky Moo’s.
For more information, go to Pray for Brendon Franco and Family on Facebook, or call 334-477-1108.
Barbara posted at 2:18 pm on Tue, Apr 10, 2012.
Great article, Kim! Donations may also be made via PayPal. the link is on Pray for Brendan Franco page on Facebook.