Craft and vendor Saturday, proceeds go to three-year-old girl with heart defect Saturday
After meeting Lily Ayres, a 3-year-old born with a congenital heart defect, Jodi Lheureau and Melissa McClarren felt the urge they had to do something.
On a whim, Lheureau and McClarren created ‘Lily’s Library Aides,’ a craft and vendor show that started in Feb., to help fund Ayres medical bills. At first Lheureau didn’t expect a large response. Now on its fourth show, Lheureau is ecstatic.
“We’ve had a tremendous response to the shows, almost seventy people came to the first one and we have kept around that amount for each show since,” Lheureau said. Ayres has been on a transplant list for a new heart since July 2017, funds and donations from the shows help Aryes and her father, Clifford, with medical and family bills.
The next show will be this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Frank Sarris Library in Canonsburg. From over twenty vendors, ranging from homemade jewelry, chocolates, soaps and bathbombs, dog treats and wood crafts. The show takes place on the second Saturday of each month.
Lheureau and McClarren are a dynamic duo putting the show together each month on their own. From reaching out to new vendors and organizing raffle baskets together, Lheureau said it can be stressful.
“I’ll be the first to admit that it can be stressful, but don’t get me wrong the positively and support that comes out of these shows keeps me going,” Lheureau said. “Bringing everyone together for this cause really makes everything worth it.”
Ayres, who lives in Canton Township with her father, was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), which is when the left side of the heart is underdeveloped and restricts blood on the right side. This blocks the flow of oxygenated blood from the lungs.
“The expenses are a lot, it’s hard. I’m not sure how much insurance will cover for her after her heart transplant,” Clifford said. “We’re looking at a medicine that costs so much, I don’t know if I’ll be able to afford it. The craft shows help a lot. So much of the money from raffles help her.”
She has had two surgeries until doctors determined Ayres was not a candidate for the final surgery. The leaky valve in her heart held the three-year-old back, but Ayres father is determined she will receive the heart transplant.
“I know we can get through this,” Clifford said.
Along with HLHS, Ayres was born with a neurological disorder called Meobius. This affects the facial muscles that control expression and eye movement.
“She’s tough,” Lheureau said. “She’ll get the transplant, we know she will.”
A second annual bike ride will be hosted on June 22. It’s 15 dollars per rider and 10 dollars per passenger. All proceeds go to Ayres medical expenses.
Until Ayres is able to receive the transplant, Lheureau and McCallen continue to raise funds through the show for her. Ayres father sells raffle tickets every Nov. to help his daughter.
The show starts at 11 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission to the show is free, but for $10 visitors can be entered for a raffle to win an $80 gift card from Old Soul Tattoo in Canonsburg.