Jeff’s Gone Mad

On September 7th, the Jeff's Gone Mad crew partnered with the JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center to host a special Fun Run event in support of two incredible boys—Ryder and Havoc McCardle. These two young boys, kindergarten students at Fairbury Public Schools, were diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Despite being nonverbal, their love for life speaks volumes, and now, thanks to the generous support of their community, they are one step closer to receiving an Autism service therapy dog.The McArdle boys, who are both sensory seekers, face unique challenges every day. Their family has worked hard to find solutions that will help the boys navigate social situations, provide sensory input, and keep them safe. The service dog will play a pivotal role in their lives. Trained to offer sensory support, the dog will help prevent dangerous behaviors, such as stemming in a harmful way, and even track the boys in case they wander off. Most importantly, the dog will allow the boys to be more independent by tethering to them, allowing their family to go hands-free when out in public.However, this service dog comes with a significant price tag, which is where the community stepped in. In an effort to help the McCardle family reach their fundraising goal, Jeff's Gone Mad and the JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center organized a fun and energetic community event. After working closely with Jen Johnson and the Wellness Center team, the two organizations set up a 5K and a 1-mile Run/Walk on September 7th. The day was filled with energy and enthusiasm as community members came together to support this worthy cause.But the support didn’t stop there!On the following day, during the annual Fairbury Museum Car Show, Jeff's Gone Mad held a bake sale, raising an additional $562. Cody Moyer from On The Bricks, generously matched the bake sale proceeds, and the efforts didn’t end with the Fun Run.Together, through the Fun Run and the additional donations, the community raised an incredible $2,166 for the McCardle that will go directly to the "4 Paws for Ability" organization. None of this would have been possible without the support of our amazing community members. A huge thank you to the Jeff’s Gone Mad members and their families who volunteered and participated. We also want to express our deep gratitude to Jen Johnson and Lana Likens from the JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center, whose hard work and brainstorming made the Fun Run a reality.We would also like to thank Cody Moyer and Zane Grizzle for their generous contributions. But above all, we owe the biggest thanks to the McCardle family for allowing us to be a part of their journey. Their strength, love, and perseverance have been an inspiration to us all.The McCardle family is one step closer to reaching their goal of getting a service dog for Ryder and Havoc. While this fundraiser is now complete, the road ahead is still long, and they are forever grateful for the support of everyone who helped make this dream a reality. We’re proud to have played a small part in this story of hope and community.Thank you to everyone who has supported this cause. Your kindness has truly made a difference in the lives of the McCardle family.

Albert D. Oliver

Kevin Johnson Is December Veteran Of The Month

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