Win a Wishing Well

Pay it forward this holiday season.  The generosity of one Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) staff member will be passed on to help others in need of emergency assistance.  Dean Todaro, HILC’s Ramp and Home Modifications Specialist, donated his expertise in designing and building a wooden wishing well for a fundraising project.

The wishing well stands 6 feet tall and is made from 100% treated lumber to withstand the weather.  In the center is a planter box, along with a wooden dowel at the top for hanging plants. 

 You too can pay it forward by purchasing a raffle ticket to win the wishing well.  Funds will be used for HILC’s Consumer Emergency Assistance program.  Tickets are $5 each or six for $25 and may be purchased at HILC’s main office in Owensville or at the Christopher Manhart office in Union.

Dean Todaro donated his time and expertise to build this 6-foot 

wishing well to raise funds for consumer emergency assistance.  

Also pictured are Goldie Parrett, HILC’s Service Manager (left), 

and Ann Cassidy, CDS Specialist in the HILC’s Christopher 

Manhart office in Union.  Raffle tickets are $5 each or 6 tickets 

for $25. They are available until the drawing on December 13^th. 

Todaro built the wishing well in one weekend using leftover lumber from previously constructed ramps.  In the construction business for over 30 years, Todaro’s work ethics are to not waste costly building materials.  “Once we accumulated enough leftovers, I spent a weekend building the wishing well,” says Todaro.  “I designed it myself. I have built several others for area benefits.”  During this past year with HILC, Todaro counts approximately 35 ramp projects HILC has provided for consumers.  All the ramps are custom designed to fit the individual’s needs and built to ADA specs.   

HILC’s emergency assistance program helps consumers who face an unexpected crisis, such as medical prescriptions and utility bills.  Funds are limited and reserved for qualifying individuals with disabilities to help them maintain their independence.  Funds raised at HILC’s recent Autumn Fest were contributed to the emergency assistance fund.

Raffle tickets may be purchased at HILC’s Owensville office at 1010 Hwy 28 West, or it’s Union office at 104 South McKinley, Suite A.  The raffle drawing is December 13^th, just in time to make a great Christmas gift.