Taste of the Town to benefit C-M students
As a health-care facility, Consulate Healthcare of North Strabane prides itself in taking care of the community.
So, when the staff heard about two sisters in Canon-McMillan School District who are living with a rare skin condition that requires expensive, specialized care, the staff decided to turn its “Taste of the Town” into a fundraiser for them.
The event will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at Consulate, 100 Tandem Village Road, Canonsburg. Proceeds will benefit Haylee LaBarbera, 15, and her 11-year-old sister, Abbie, who were born with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, a painful, blistering skin condition. Most of the girls’ out-of-state, out-of-network care is not covered by their parents’ medical insurance.
“We take care of the elderly population on a daily basis,” said Mary Deems, executive director of Consulate Retirement Village. “We live in this community, and we do what we can to give back. We do what we can do to make a difference in somebody’s life.”
Consulate learned about Haylee and Abbie, daughters of Mark and Jen Barbera of North Strabane Township, when Rich Valentic, executive director of Consulate Healthcare of North Strabane, contacted the school district to find a cause Consulate could support.
Deems said everyone at Consulate was moved by the girls’ story.
“When there’s a child in need … we want to give them any help we can give them,” she said.
Consulate held a fundraiser two years ago, raising $6,000 for a local senior center.
“Our expectation is a lot greater this year,” Deems said.
For a $10 donation, participants can taste a variety of foods provided by local vendors. Live entertainment and bus service throughout the Consulate campus also will be provided. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.
Depending on the Big Macs’ football schedule, Deems is hoping to present a check to the family at halftime of an upcoming game.
For more information about Taste of the Town, to purchase tickets or to volunteer to help at the event, call Helen Beal at 724-743-9000.