Washington residents Regina Dravis and Jenny Kaeb teamed up to organize a benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Feb. 20 in the banquet rooms at Five Points Washington.
The benefit, called “A Day for Dax,” will honor Dax Locke, who died at age 2 Dec. 30, after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
Dravis said she and Kaeb do not know the Locke family personally; however, Julie and Austin Locke will be at the event.
“My son went to Saint Jude when he was 9 months old. We didn’t go through what they went through, but Dax’s story really hit home and touched me,” Dravis said. “It makes you thankful for life and health.”
Dravis’s son, Isaiah, is now 5 years old. Although Isaiah is healthy now, she said it was her experience with St. Jude that made her want to do something to benefit the hospital in honor of Dax Locke.
In her journal at caringbridge.org, Julie Locke wrote that she would like to raise enough money to run St. Jude for one day. According to St. Jude’s Web site, it costs about $1.6 million per day to run the research hospital.
“Can you imagine the resources every penny will give to a child with cancer?” Julie Locke wrote Dec. 23. “My personal goal is to raise enough money to run St. Jude for one whole day.”
Dravis and Kaeb sent letters to area businesses soliciting donations for the bucket drawings (similar to a raffle) and vendors for the event. There will be a silent auction for items valued at more than $200.
Emack and Bolio’s, from Peoria Heights, will sell ice cream, and Copper River Coffee and Tea, from Peoria, will also be there to sell coffee and other drinks.
Dravis’s own 10-year-old daughter, Shelby, will run a bake sale at the event, and two hair stylists from Brooklyhn’s Boutique in Dunlap will cut hair for a donation.
Dax’s favorite character, Dora the Explorer, will also be there to entertain the children.
Dravis said she is currently in contact with the chaplain of the Chicago Bears football team to see if any of the players can come sign autographs in exchange for a donation.
“It’s not set in stone, but he is pretty hopeful we can get a player,” she said.
Dravis said she stressed to all the businesses donating that this event is to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, not the Locke family.
“All it takes is one person to go visit St. Jude’s and see those kids — and you’d give up 10 bucks,” said Dravis.
The event will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 20 in the banquet rooms at Five Points.
