The people of St. Martha and Ascension schools and churches, helped by Ascension School’s maintenance supervisor, Jim Grider, will hold an event to benefit a local family in need.
Grider has organized a breakfast at the Ascension School cafeteria at 4600 Lynnbrook Drive from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Nov. 14. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Murphy family, which has been struck by a series of medical problems.
The Murphy’s have three children and two of them are seriously ill and need to undergo brain surgeries and procedures. One, an 11-year-old, has been transferred to the Cleveland Clinic after a series of difficult treatments at Kosair Children’s Hospital proved less than effective.
In addition to her illness, the family’s 16-year-old daughter is suffering from a malformation to the lining of her brain and had surgery in July to repair it. She is still dealing with long-term effects and needs continuing medical treatment.
According to Amy Gross, an Ascension School parent, the idea to help the Murphy family has spread through the schools and population of the parishes. Grider, she said, is very involved with the Ascension children and regularly hosts a breakfast with them to raise funds and awareness of various charitable events.
This time those in need of help is a local family whose resources have been exhausted by the medical emergencies they’ve faced.
According to a letter from St. Martha Church member Joan Kissel to principals of area Catholic schools, the St. Martha Church and school community is also attempting to help the Murphy family. “We are dedicated to helping them in any way we can,” the letter said. “We are selling bracelets dedicated to them, having fund-raisers at St. Martha School.”
Donations to help support the Murphys can be made directly to the “Murphy Family Hospital Fund” at any Republic Bank and Trust Co., branch.
