Organizers of the second annual Charlie Dyce Family and Friends Giant Grow-a-thon are calling on locals to purchase sunflower seeds as soon as possible to help the family of a local girl born with a rare medical condition.
Proceeds from the grow-a-thon will go to the family of Fergus’ Ava Dawn Williamson, born earlier this year with Antley-Bixler Syndrome.
“We just thought uncle Charlie would want it to go to the little girl,” said Lynn Smith, who, along with her husband Paul, won the inaugural challenge by growing a 500-pound pumpkin.
As winners of the 2011 challenge named after her late uncle, Charlie Dyce of Arthur, the Smiths were awarded the opportunity to choose the beneficiary of the 2012 contest.
Being familiar with the Williamsons’ situation, including the many medical bills faced by parents Jay and Krista Williamson (Bessey), it was an easy decision.
“Uncle Charlie just loved kids,” said Smith, adding her uncle was a regular visitor when she herself spent time in the hospital as a young girl.
This year’s participants will be challenged to grow the tallest sunflower by the contest’s end on the Labour Day weekend, with prizes for the top three entries and net proceeds going to the Williamsons.
But organizers warn that time is running out to get seeds in the ground. They are asking locals to purchase “Russian mammoth” seeds as soon as possible.
Eight seeds will be sold for $25 and the winner, in addition to a prize, will be awarded the opportunity to pick the charity for the 2013 challenge.
Participants can keep in touch with organizers and check their competition through an event page on Facebook that already has over 100 members.
To buy seeds contact one of the following organizers:
– Shelly Hostrawser at 519-848-6930;
– Lynn Smith at 519-848-3643; or
– Kailyn Williamson at 519-760-9751.
For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/events/224991864271624.
About the contest
In honour of Dyce, his sister Audrey Peacock and daughter Sonya McNabb started the inaugural Grow-a-thon contest in 2011 to raise money for the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton, where Dyce was treated for his cancer.
The idea was to compete to grow the biggest pumpkin, with proceeds going to the Juravinski Centre.
In 2011, the top three finishers donated their winnings back to the Juravinski centre. In total, $1,000 was raised for the centre.
More about Ava
Born on Jan. 18 at McMaster Hospital, Ava Williamson is just the eighth confirmed case worldwide of Antley-Bixler Syndrome, a congenital defect that causes one or more sutures of the skull to fuse, and the joint between the radius and humerus to be missing, causing fusion at the elbow.
In addition to those problems, she also struggles with a weakened airway and had a tracheostomy and also a gastric feeding tube.
In recent months the quality of her life has improved. She still has many surgeries ahead, and funds raised through the Grow-a-thon will help her parents cover medical expenses.
