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Peru, NY (WPTZ) — In support of a 5-year-old boy awaiting a heart transplant, North Country community members raised more than $42,000 Saturday at the Have a Heart fundraiser.
“The community, everybody was so generous with their gifts and donations,” organizer Laurie Gonyea said. “When we totaled last night and it was over ($40,000,) I was just in awe. I couldn’t believe it.”
Isaiah, 5, needs a new heart and is in Boston waiting for one.
He was the first name on his transplant list as of Sunday afternoon.
Gonyea said Isaiah’s mother is out of work as they await the transplant.
The kindergartner’s father and sister are making weekly round-trip drives to Boston to see them.
Gonyea said her initial goal was $20,000 to help support the family’s day-to-day expenses and travel.
“At noon we got bombarded. The place was packed. There wasn’t a seat available,” Gonyea said. “It was a great day, a very emotional day.”
Funds were raised through a variety of sales and auctions.
Gonyea said Isaiah is a sweet, bubbly child, ready for his transplant.
“He gives us all the strength we need,” she said. “He’s first on the list. That’s what we need to concentrate on, say all the prayers we can that one comes soon, so he can be on the road to recovery, back to school and be a normal little boy again.”
A GoFundMe account is still collecting donations.
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