ATLANTIC MINE - A family from Calumet will be on its way to Walt Disney World in March thanks to the fundraising efforts of a dedicated community.
The John Dee Snowfest was held over the weekend and aimed to raise money to send Zeph Korpinen and his family to Disney through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Nine-year-old Zeph was diagnosed with a form of leukemia when he was nine months old and has been in remission for the past eight years. The family was chosen to benefit from the John Dee Snowfest, an event which aims to raise money for one family every year through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"Since he was so young when he was diagnosed, I didn't want to grant his wish right away," his mother Alicia Turino said. "I wanted him to be able to remember it."
This will be Zeph's first time to Disney and the family will be staying for a week.
The family attended the snowfest banquet at the Brownstone in Atlantic Mine where participants munched on hors d'oeuvres, listened to music provided by Tom Katalin and bid on auction items.
John Dee, event organizer, called the weekend a success as it has been for so many years, despite the lack of snow. The event encompasses backcountry snowmobile rides, a poker run, a raffle/silent auction, a banquet and live entertainment. This is the seventh year the event was held.
"The rides went real well," Dee said. "It wasn't the greatest of conditions but we had snow and some places can't even say that."
About $1,400 was raised before the event. Dee said he was hoping to raise more with the weekend events and auction.
"About 90 percent of our auction items are donated by local businesses," he said.
Every year, the snowfest committee chooses a child to benefit from the fundraising efforts through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
According to its website, wish.org, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has benefited children with life-threatening medical conditions since 1980.
granting work since 1980.
