A local restaurant is going above and beyond to help a Hamburg boy receive the life-saving service dog he needs to help with his autism.
“This family has eaten at our restaurant plenty of times and we can see the zero fear factor in Eli. With a service dog, he will be warned when putting himself in danger and be able to react,” said Jim Butera, owner of Butera’s Craft Pizza. “The service dog will also give the parents a sense of security knowing their child is safe, as opposed to constantly watching him.”
A “Service Dog for Eli” is a fundraising initiative that Butera’s Craft Pizza is participating in to help raise $25,000 for a service dog for Eli. A Cornhole Competition to be held 6 p.m. March 14 at Butera’s, 32 Main St., Hamburg, will consist of 20 teams that will face off for prizes from six breweries (Big Ditch Brewing, Flying Bison Brewing, GLBC Cleveland, 42 North Brewing, Resurgence Brewing Company, and 1911 Spirits) that the restaurant will have on site. For $20 your team will be entered in the competition to help raise funds for Eli.
“Autism Service Dogs are trained to help with better sleeping patterns, better reading skill sets, lesser meltdowns, redirection away from repetitive behavior, and they can even be trained to find a child if lost in severe cases,” said Butera.
Eli’s mom, Jessie Kaminsky-PoChedley, says autism was never a word she thought of when she and her husband started their family. When Eli was first born he was a healthy, happy little boy who hit all of his milestones at age one. But then one day something changed. Eli would no longer hug and kiss his mom and she would find him rocking back and forth in his room, hitting his head against the wall. She watched her son slip away from her and didn’t know what to do.
“That’s why I’m asking for your help. I have found a way to to my give my son independence; a chance to go out into the community without me hovering over him scared he will run off. That’s what a service dog can do for him. Allow him to grow as every child should be able to. Spread his wings while keeping him safe.”
How amazing would it be to know that the community helped make this miracle come true for Eli and his family? To know a little boy who needs some extra comfort and love could get it from a service dog who will not only protect him, but be his best friend. If you would like to to participate in Butera’s Cornhole Competition to help raise funds for this cause, call 716-648-5017. You may also make a donation to the “Service Dog for Eli” fundraiser by visiting sdwr.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=2388.
