Clear Lake Elementary third-grader Jason Dudewicz had a pretty tough year.
Since being diagnosed with medulloblastoma (a brain tumor prevalent in young children) in March, the little guy’s undergone three surgeries, six weeks worth of radiation treatments and chemotherapy, which will continue through May 2008.
To make his Christmas a little, scratch that, a lot merrier, Dudewicz? teacher, Ann Ashley, and his classmates teamed up to purchase for him a gift package that could easily be any kid’s dream come true.
During the class Christmas party Dec. 20, Dudewicz was presented with a brand new Nintendo Wii gaming system, nine video games, some extra controllers, I Spy books, a Star Wars pop-up book, multiple Star Wars LEGO sets, some army men with an army truck and gift cards to Best Buy and Blockbuster.
‘They started parading in with all of these presents and I was just moved to tears,? said Pam Dudewicz, Jason’s mother. ‘I couldn’t believe the goodness and the kindness of the community. The love was just so . . . it made my Christmas a happy one.?
It all started with a simple letter that Ashley, who’s been teaching at Clear Lake for 13 years, sent home to her students and their parents about a month ago.
She wrote about Jason’s situation (losing his hair, walking unsteadily, missing school because of chemo, etc.) and how he’s been handling it ? ‘Jason has been such a brave little boy. He hardly ever complains and does his best to do well in school. A few students have teased him due to his ‘special? appearance, but he has been a trouper through it all.?
Ashley then asked her students and parents to donate what money they could to help buy Jason a new video game system and maybe some games to go with it.
‘I am asking if you would please help make this child’s Christmas an extra special one,? she wrote. ‘If you were thinking of getting me something for Christmas, PLEASE use that money to buy Jason something instead. I don’t need anything, but Jason could sure use a ‘pick me up.??
‘He had a very rough year this year,? Ashley told this reporter. ‘I just wanted to make sure he had a special Christmas.?
The response was overwhelming. Not only did the class itself raise more than $300, but one of the parents, Thomas Dvorak, personally collected an additional $605, bringing the total to more than $900.
‘The reason why (Dvorak) really wanted to get involved is because his own father had died of a brain tumor,? Ashley explained. ‘When he read my letter, he came to me immediately and said he really wanted to get involved and help out.?
‘I read the letter and I just felt compelled to do it,? Dvorak said. He collected about $100 from his fellow employees at the Madison Heights-based Arobotech Systems and another $100 or so from his neighbors.
The big donation came from Dvorak’s co-worker, Mark Orlando, who also owns a side business called Orlando Enterprises, a trucking company. Without hesitation, Orlando generously wrote a $400 check.
As expected, Jason loves his gifts.
‘He stayed up all last night and all this morning playing that Wii,? Pam said. ‘I can hardly get him away from it. It is the biggest thrill. He is so happy. He just keeps saying, ‘Mom, this is so cool!??
‘It’s more than anybody could have imagined or wished for,? she added. ‘My kid is blessed beyond belief.?
Seeing her son so happy and seeing how much his class and teacher care about him was the best gift of all for this weary mother.
‘It’s really hard to find that happiness ? where you let go all of your concerns, let go of your fears and let go of the work that’s ahead of you ? but that’s what they did for me,? Pam explained. ‘They made it so I could just have some happiness. They gave me joy for Christmas.?
Pam is extremely grateful to everyone in the community, from the school to her church, Oxford United Methodist, for everything, from prayers to food, they’ve done for Jason and her family. ‘The energy that the entire community has given to us has made the difference,? she said. ‘It’s been a group effort. I’m getting so much support from everyone. It makes me cry every time I think about it or talk about it. I don’t take it for granted, not one little, tiny bit.?
Someday, Pam plans to return the favor.
‘I know that in the future I’m going to give to someone. I’m going to be able to pass it on somehow,? she said. ‘I’ll meet someone in need and I’ll know just what to do for them.?