One little boy’s tumultuous journey into the world has inspired his family to fundraise in the name of the Calgary NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), in an effort to give back to the care that has made a difference in their own lives, as well as those of countless Cochrane and area families. In honour of World Preemie Day on Nov. 17, the Fenton family will be hosting a screening of The Grinch (the new version, in 3D) at the Cochrane Movie House at 10 a.m. where all proceeds will go to the Foothills NICU. Tickets are $10 and, to date, Valentina is halfway to filling the 125-seat movie theatre – which has been renovated to include larger, more recliner-style seating. In conjunction with the Nov. 17 fundraiser, the Fentons will also be holding an online auction Nov. 9 to 14. “We are always so grateful for the support the NICU gets from our community,” said Valentina, whose third child, five-year-old Darroch, spent 22 days in the Foothills NICU, born with a hypoxic brain injury in August 2013. This came with no notice to the family, as Valentina had a normal and otherwise uneventful pregnancy. Joined by husband Cody, daughters, Shelby, 12, and Hannah, 10, and 18-month old son, Casey, Valentina and Durroch have been able to raise some $10,000 to date in various fundraisers over the last four years – including making dog leashes, bottle drives, walks and runs and a movie screening at the Cochrane Movie House two years ago. “Our family’s hopeful goal, in due time, is to raise $30,000 – which is the cost of one hypoxia machine,” said Valentina. So far, the cause has garnered a list of auction item donations from the community that includes a three-month facility-wide family membership at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre; custom artwork from Bouncing Off The Walls and Heather Downs Design; a gift basket from The Unbeatable Mortgage Team; a heart robot toy from The Vaughn Sawchuk Foundation; hand-quilted blankets, infant and child CPR course from Cochrane Emergency Services; and donations from the Paynter family. To donate online auction items, buy tickets to the movie screening or offer extra hands on deck, Valentina can be reached via call/text to 403-852-6685 or through Facebook.
