Fundraiser to help man with rising health bills

Dick Howard left a family gathering in July 2006, complaining he didn't feel well.

That was his first stroke.

Now, the Des Plaines father of two is facing mounting health bills after a series of strokes left him a quadriplegic at age 50.

An aneurysm at the base of his brain is to blame, doctors say.

Before the strokes, Dick Howard led an active life as a business agent for the bricklayers union.

His wife Sharon, 19-year-old son Nick and 16-year-old Dana now help him with simple functions. Home health care also is needed.

To help pay those bills, friends and family members are rallying around. They are holding a fundraiser Friday.

Tickets for a dinner from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave. in Chicago are $20 a person.

The night will be a celebration for Howard, including a raffle and silent auction.

Joey Barzowski, who's married to Howard's cousin Ed, said organizers are expecting up to 400 people Friday.

People in Howard's life have really come together since he began having health problems.

"I think that people can relate to this being a fairly young man that one day his whole life was changed. That could be anybody," she said.

For those who want to help the Howard family, a fund has been set up.

Donations can be sent to the Howard Family Foundation, Chase Bank, 1190 S. Elmhurst Road, Mount Prospect, IL 60056.

Foundation goes online: Giving private donations for Des Plaines Elementary District 62 programs is getting easier.

The District 62 Education Foundation Store is now online. The store is accessible at www.d62.org/d62foundation/index.

Money from the sale of T-shirts, mugs, bibs and other items will go toward the foundation.

Congrats: Congratulations to Ron Eilken on his promotion to deputy fire chief. Eilken is a Des Plaines native, who loves giving back to his community. "I grew up in town, so it's nice to be able to serve," he said.

Being green for some green: Des Plaines public works will compete in the national Cans For Cash Recycling Challenge. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Novelis Corp. along with Keep America Beautiful Inc.

Residents can help by making sure aluminum cans are in the recycling bins on their regularly scheduled collection day in October. Communities can qualify for cash prizes for collecting the most tonnage of aluminum. Des Plaines previously won $5,000 for collecting the most for a community of its size.