The Innisfail Province is reaching out to the business community to meet the total amount of money raised for ailing four-year-old Brooke Aubuchon through the sock monkey campaign by Red Deer mom Jodi McCutcheon.
McCutcheon, a stay-at-home mother and a former junior high school classmate of Brooke's mother Robin Brand, began creating sock monkey dolls almost four years ago. After Brooke was diagnosed with Batten disease last October she created a special sock monkey doll for Brooke, adorned with a blue heart and gold stitching. Blue and gold are the official colours for the fatal and incurable nervous system disorder.
As of Jan. 13, McCutcheon has taken orders for 119 sock monkey since the story of Brooke's condition broke in the Province on Jan. 8. With the dozen she made previously, a total of 131 sock monkeys have been made. She sells each one for $20, with $15 going to Brooke and $5 for expenses. As well, McCutcheon sold another sock monkey in an online auction for $500. She has so far collected a total of $2,465.
ìI would like to encourage businesses to either meet or beat this total. Everyone that does this will be given a monkey for their business,î said McCutcheon. ìThe family needs our long-term help. Immediate help is very much appreciated but we also need to think into the future and how we are going to help Brooke and her family with the cost of ongoing procedures as it is a lengthy process.î
Beginning Jan. 15, McCutcheon is creating an album on her Facebook site, Creations from the Heart, with additional auction items for Brooke.
As well, McCutcheon will be in Innisfail on Feb. 2 and 3 to attend a peewee hockey tournament, which is honouring Brooke, and will feature the participation of her 11-year-old brother Ethan.
For more information on McCutcheon's sock monkeys search Creations from the Heart by Jodi on Facebook or phone 403-755-4542. To follow Brooke's journey search Brooke's Hope and Fight with Batten Disease on Facebook.
