Fundraiser for a community man

Posted 8/21/12

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Whitehouse family had been in Maui for only eight hours when George had a stroke in his brainstem. It happened before dawn, and fortunately he was awakened by the symptoms …

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Fundraiser for a community man

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LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Whitehouse family had been in Maui for only eight hours when George had a stroke in his brainstem. It happened before dawn, and fortunately he was awakened by the symptoms and made it to the hospital before he lost consciousness.

George Whitehouse has been building community, literally, in Sullivan County for the past 15 years. Through his business, American Joinery, he has been building homes and gathering spaces incorporating ethical and environmental business practices. His wife, Liz Whitehouse, also contributes to the fabric of our community, as she is a teacher at the Homestead School in Glen Spey as well as offering Spanish workshops, which include scholarship opportunities. The family lives in Greeley, PA.

After he was admitted to the hospital, George was intubated, and he spent the next eight days sedated and on a ventilator, during which time he contracted a virulent pneumonia and suffered from pulmonary embolisms. On day ten in the ICU, George woke up and doctors were able to extubate him.

It has been five weeks since, and a long road lies ahead. There is no doubt about that, but Liz has not for a moment felt anything but certain of a solid, even complete, recovery on George’s part. It is just a matter of time and the patience to put one foot in front of the other, day after day for the next however long.

Members of the community are rallying together to support George. They are holding a fundraiser dance party at The Nutshell in Lake Huntington on January 30 at 9 p.m. Tom and Lani Bullock (under the name Child Support) are both international DJs who are donating their time and talents and came up with the Casablanca Dance Party concept.

Bret Keyser is doing all the technical advising and high-tech stuff. Juan Rigal, the owner of The Nutshell, donated the space. Sandra Riedel of County House Realty designed the website for the Casablanca fund and set up the fund so that there wouldn’t be any processing fees. Mike Scullion is a local DJ who is loaning his equipment, and Zoot is also lending his equipment and time.

Cima Bue, a local artist and fire-works specialist, donated a fire sculpture log. Hilary Smith, an event planner, donated her efforts to get fliers printed up and help get the word out. Quality Printing in Honesdale gave a huge discount because they were touched by George’s story.

Countless people will volunteer at the door and help set up and clean up and get the word out all because of Liz and George’s ties to this community and really because of the love this community feels for this family.

To donate to the online fund, go to https://casablancafund.squarespace.com.

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