By Renee Larr
Friends Helping Friends will host an inaugural block party from noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 20 to raise money for the family of a young boy with autism. Carmel resident Blair Clark founded the organization in 2004 after losing his sister to cancer.
TJ Durbin is a severely autistic 7-year-old boy. His family wants to provide him with a therapy dog to keep him safe. Half of the proceeds raised at the block party will go toward this goal, which costs around $18,000.
“[TJ’s] mobility is limited by the fact that he wanders off in the street. He’s hard to keep track of because he’s mobile,” Clark said. “The family wanted to get him a therapy dog as a companion, but also to help protect him and keep him safe. It gives him a better quality of life. These therapy dogs are phenomenal in what they’re able to do and what they’re able to teach themselves to do.” The party will include a bounce house, face painting, special guest appearances and live music from Laura LaValle and The Bashville Boys. The event is free to attend. Guests can purchase tickets at the party to dunk members of the Carmel City Council.
“People can come out and enjoy and we hope they’ll be moved to give,” Clark said. “They can also buy a one-time wrist band ticket so they can do anything they want or they can pay per individual thing that we have as they go along.”
For more information visit, friendshelpingfriendsinc.org.
