On Wednesday, October 15, 2013, Herb Chambers Honda of Seekonk’s General Manager, Scott Birtles, presented a check worth $8,500 to the Gabrielle Dinsmore Heart & Hope Fund. Executive Director Louise Dinsmore accepted the check alongside Board member Ron Cascione and two “heart heroes,” Lauren Landry and Joshua Jean Louis.
Lauren and Joshua were born with a congenital heart defect (a medical condition that affects 1 in 100 children) and have participated in programs run by the Heart & Hope Fund. Lauren has attended Gabrielle’s Heart Camp for three summers, most recently as a CIT (Counselor-in-Training) to mentor younger children. Heart Camp is staffed by a team of medical professionals, so children with congenital heart defects can enjoy something most kids take for granted: summer camp. Joshua attended Gabrielle’s Mini Heart Camp and other Heart & Hope Fund-sponsored events. “We run several events each year in addition to Heart Camp so that children with these issues can meet other kids like them and just have fun,” says Ms. Dinsmore. “That’s why we’re here, to help these kids and their families realize they’re not alone.”
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The Gabrielle Dinsmore Heart & Hope Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Jeffrey and Louise Dinsmore after their 2-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, passed away 3 years ago from complications related to a congenital heart defect. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to be a recognized resource for providing emotional, recreational, financial, and educational support to children and families living in RI, CT, and MA who are impacted by congenital heart disease, heart defects, and severe feeding issues. The signature program the nonprofit funds is Gabrielle’s Heart Camp, the only camp in RI exclusively for kids with congenital heart defects and heart disease. The organization also provides financial assistance grants for families in need of equipment, treatment, and care for their children with congenital heart defects.
Mr. Birtles connected with the Heart & Hope Fund through a charity golf tournament planned and run by David Beuhne of Hi-On Apparel, a local golf clothing manufacturer. For two years, the golf tournament has donated proceeds to the Fund. Mr. Beuhne and Ms. Dinsmore approached Herb Chambers Honda of Seekonk to sponsor the tournament. “I showed the General Manager our video, and he not only agreed to have Herb Chambers Honda of Seekonk sponsor the tournament, he immediately asked what more he could do,” recounts Ms. Dinsmore. “That’s how Scott became our first individual fundraiser for the cause.”
Mr. Birtles set an initial goal of raising $5,000, then set about meeting and exceeding it. “I found friends, family, and business associates very supportive of the cause,” says Mr. Birtles, “so I started thinking bigger.” Mr. Birtles expanded his efforts by approaching his vendors and business partners to match donations based on their sales: “Every time we sold an extended warranty or an auto-related product, that company would donate to the fund. It all added up.”
With these additions, Mr. Birtles exceeded his initial goal by $3,500 for a total of $8,500 donated in addition to the company sponsorship. “We are enormously grateful to Scott Birtles and Herb Chambers Honda of Seekonk for their support,” says Ms. Dinsmore. “Scott took it upon himself to personally champion our mission, putting all of his resources behind it to leverage additional support. Support of this magnitude enables us to do more for all the families in RI, CT, and MA who are going through this. We are a local charity, and every donation makes a big impact. ”
Pictured, left to right: Edith Jean Louis (Joshua’s mother), Isaiah Jean Louis (Joshua’s brother), Louise Dinsmore (Heart & Hope Fund Executive Director), Lauren Landry, Ron Cascione, Esq. (of Brennan, Recupero, Cascione, Scungio & McAllister, Heart & Hope Fund Board member), Dan Landry (Lauren’s father) Scott Birtles (GM, Herb Chambers Honda of Seekonk) David Beuhne (Hi-On Apparel tournament planner), and Joshua Jean Louis.
For more information on Gabrielle Dinsmore Heart & Hope Fund, please visit www.HeartandHopeFund.com.
For more information on Herb Chambers Honda of Seekonk, please visit http://www.herbchambershondaofseekonk.com.
