Joey Yannucci
It was an ordinary day and an ordinary bus ride home for Joey Yannucci and a group of students from F.K. Sweet Elementary School. Everything changed for Joey in less than a moment in a horrific crash that claimed the life of Aaron Beauchamp of Port St. Lucie, and left Joey, seriously injured. Still in a medically induced coma, F.K. Sweet Safety Patrol member Joey Yannucci remains in serious condition and is being treated in a hospital out of the area. As you can imagine, his family’s world has been turned inside out, and the expenses of travel, lost wages, and items not covered by insurance have put the family in an emotional and financial crisis. From 3 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25th, the Van Duzer Foundation, in cooperation with members of the community, will be hosting an evening to help Joey and his family recover and...
Read More
For Better or Worse – Ronnie McClure
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 4 – 10 p.m. Sometimes a storybook romance doesn’t end with “and they all lived happily ever after.” Ronnie and Justine McClure grew up within a few blocks of one another in White City. When Ronnie and Justine said, “for better or for worse” in their wedding vows in 2009, they had no idea the challenges they’d face together. They just knew that they would face life together in love, for better or for worse.Two days before Christmas, 2011, Ronnie McClure was given the news nobody ever wants to hear – he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). A fast-moving and fatal illness, ALS is slowly robbing Ronnie McClure of his ability to walk, speak, and even swallow. It’s a lot for a 35 year-old unemployed father and his beloved bride to handle, but add three children and no health insurance to the mix,...
Read More
Jimmy Jordan
For 22 years, Jimmy Jordan has been a special part of the community. Though he has struggled throughout his life with a mental handicap, the Port St. Lucie resident and Centennial High School graduate has been an active participant in Special Olympics programs on the Treasure Coast and attended Indian River State College. Recently, on the heels of losing his dad in a tragic car crash, Jordan was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. While undergoing his chemotherapy treatments, Jordan’s mind is on bowling, swimming, NASCAR, and the Miami Dolphins. On Wednesday, October 19th, a young man who doesn’t get a chance to be in the spotlight very often, will have the night of his life as the Van Duzer Foundation hosts Game Night with Jimmy Jordan. Featuring bounce houses, a rousing match of cornhole, music and entertainment, Game Night with Jimmy Jordan will help celebrate a...
Read More
Steven Balderas – Celebrating a Life
Steven Balderas was only 11 years old when a drunk driver ended his life. Even before his tragic death, Steven bravely faced challenges that other kids never have to deal with. The oldest of five children, Steven was diagnosed with hemophilia, a rare disease which prevents blood from clotting. Although his life was complicated by his illness, Steven a good brother, a great friend, and a beloved student at Oak Hammock K-8. His light shone brightly, but was extinguished far too soon. Steven will be missed. In addition to exorbitant health care and hospital expenses related to Steven’s illness and tragic death, the Balderas family is having a difficult time covering his funeral and burial expenses. Wednesday, September 7th, Steven’s teachers from Oak Hammock and the Van Duzer Foundation will be partnering to host a celebration of Steven Balderas’ life. From 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., one hundred percent...
Read More
Minnis’ Miracles – May 4th, 2011
At first glance, you’d think Roscoe and Nekia Minnis have it made. An IRCC alumnus and nurse, Nekia is the proud mom of three beautiful children with her beloved husband, Roscoe, an academic advisor at IRSC. If you didn’t know better, you’d think life was perfect for the Minnis family; the truth is, Nekia has Stage 4 Breast Cancer which has spread to her bones and her brain, systematically and painfully invading nearly every inch of her body. Nekia can no longer work as a nurse, and while the family has a strong network of friends and family to help, the burden both financially and physically is nearly insurmountable. The Van Duzer Foundation wants to help the Minnis family stay in their home. Wednesday, May 4th, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Van Duzer Foundation will be hosting a benefit to help the Minnis family. During Minnis’ Miracles,...
Read MoreThe Van Duzer Search
Help Support Us
Popular Posts
Let’s Get Social
