Reprinted from the Pioneer Press Newspaper

March 6, 2003

Drive will aid brain tumor research
By KENNETH L R. PATCHEN
STAFF WRITER

Highland Park High School's Charity Drive ends Wednesday with a final assembly to present a contribution to the Rory David Deutsch Foundation.

After a month-long series of city and school events, student leaders described Charity Days as a success as well as was last Friday evening's basketball game, bazaar and silent auction.

Funds will underwrite research about pediatric brain tumors through the Rory David Deutsch Foundation.

"Friday night went extremely well," said Katie Hinden, co-president of Charity Drive with Matt Feinstein. "It was by far the most well attended event. We had so many parents and kids."

Feinstein said, "The Friday night event went better than it ever has before."

The varsity basketball team lost in a close game against Glenbrook North, However, players scored enough points to collect on pledges to raise more than $5,000 in a special "Basket Bucks for Rory" event.

About 15 artists and crafters sold, pottery, jewelry, handmade boxes of wood and self-portraits in a bazaar held for the first time.

Feinstein said Friday evening attendance was helped by flyers posted in store windows and some middle schools, Merchants were generous with their donations, he said, and they received some strong help from Ross Deutsch in finding good raffle items.

Hinden said Charity Drive has been a lot of work but she most enjoyed the opportunity to meet with the family who created the Rory David Deutsch Foundation. The Foundation raises money in memory of their 7-year-old son who died in 1998 from a brain tumor.

"They have been incredible," she said.

Feinstein said, "They are as supportive and helpful as any family could be to helping us and the foundation."

The Deutsch family helped with Charity Drive at all levels and worked with the students wherever and whenever possible. Feinstein said family members helped with mailing envelopes, advertising, and finding items for the silent auction. Hinden said the family was part of the nice working atmosphere that brought energy to student efforts and helped personalize results of the work.

The Deutsch family itself found the experience inspiring.

Ross Deutsch said the attitude and hard work of students working on Charity Drive and participating in events was "inspiring." He said the passion and commitment was the only measure he would ever use to recognize Charity Drive as a success. The shared experience of the work was a real benefit.

"We have been to several of their meetings throughout," he said.

Charity Drive donations will help research into pediatric brain tumors at Duke University and Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago where Rory Deutsch had been treated.

"There's no known cause; there's no known cure," said Ross Deutsch. "Every single dollar we will raise will go to research."

Rory Deutsch was young but interested in the solar system and stars, according to family friend Barry Bakal, speaking in 1999. Rory's Indian Trail Elementary School principal, Veronica Patt, described Rory as a loving and accepting person who was close to his classmates.

Three other Charity Drive committee chairmen helped manage the student-led fund raising drive this year: Lisie Mehlman, Michael Lazar and David Rosenberg.

Caption: A silent auction and bazaar helped raised funds for the Highland Park High School Charity Drive. The funds will be used to aid brain tumor research.