News4U Online

The phenomenon known as “I helped give Trey sight!” has swept through Owensboro like wildfire. Everyone wants to help this infant see the world around him and the community response to the boy’s plight has been nothing short of a miracle. In these days of growing economic hardship, lack of strong neighborhood bonds and crops of fundraisers popping up every time you turn around, raising $50,000 seemed like a distant hope for Trey’s mother, Katie O’Bryan. But due to the family’s unwavering love and dedication, and the support of those in the community, $23,000 has been raised so far.

            In case you missed the article about “Trey Day” in our September issue, at two months-of-age Trey Mauzy  was diagnosed with Septo-Optic Dysplasia (S.O.D.); a rare disorder in which individuals are born without the part of the brain known as the Septum Pellucidum. Along with S.O.D. usually comes Optic Nerve Hypoplasia [under-developed optic nerves causing blindness], possible mental retardation and severe health concerns. Trey is indeed blind in both eyes and the only hope he has for sight is to travel with his parents to China to participate in umbilical cord stem-cell replacement therapy. The family must also stay in China for an entire month while Trey undergoes treatment.

            When we asked Katie how they had accomplished such a feat in a mere matter of months, she immediately spouted off whole list of people and businesses to thank. “We raised $12,000 at Trey Day alone and we couldn’t have done that without support from the Boiler Room, WKTG and people and businesses that donated items for the silent auction. Our Place has risen over $2,500 and is having another fundraiser for us in November. Also, thank you to The Daviess County Lions Club, Robert Cooley Law Office, News 4U, Terry’s T’s, Jimmy and Janie Rhodes, The Messenger Inquirer, Clark Distributing, Miller Lite, Capt’n Morgan, Beef O'Brady's, Talbot’s, Johnny B's, H.D. Shakers, Little Things Photography, Ques, Red Hill Baptist Church, Owensboro Biker News and all the people who are donating money and items to auction off and sell at the yard sale. So many people have already done so much for Trey – I only named a few,” says O’Bryan.

            We inquired about Trey’s current health status; the beaming mother happily answered, “We see four specialists every three months. So far, his health and growth factors are normal and his therapist says he’s doing well but lags behind other children his age just a little. He’s sitting up but is having trouble crawling. Of course we can’t be certain, but as of now he doesn’t even respond to light, so we are almost positive he’s completely blind.”

            Though Trey’s family is over halfway there, they still need to raise $22,000 to be able to take the journey. The best part is you can be a part of it, even in small ways. According to Katie, there are several ways to help throughout the month of November.

Ques’ Bean Soup Sale

Saturday, November 1^st at Rural King

Ques will be cooking his famous bean soup and selling it by the gallon at Rural King on HWY 60. If you don't know Ques, you will after you try some of his famous cooking. He is not only an amazing cook but an amazing person! Thank you Ques for all you have done for us!

Fall Festival in Thoroughbred East

Saturday, November 1^st from 12:00 to 4:00 PM

Majestic Prince will be roped off to traffic and turned into a fund-raising fall festival full of family fun things to do! Corn hole, crafts, face painting, bingo, moon jumping, hot chocolate, popcorn, cake walks every driveway will have something different and fun. If it rains we will have it Sun the 2nd from 1:00 to 5:00.  This should be a fun one so come out and bring your family!

Yard Sale

Friday & Saturday, November 7^th and 8^th at Our Place Bar on 9^th Street

Barbara (OP owner) wants to help more, so this time OP is having a huge yard sale and Ques will be cooking hamburgers and hot dogs on Friday and chickens on Saturday. There will also be horseshoes and pool tournaments going on throughout the weekend. All proceeds go to Trey. One man's junk is another man's treasure so if you need to clean out your attic or garage now is the time to do it. You can just drop it all off at Our Place bar whenever you’re ready. The people at Our Place are a bunch of people with hearts of gold.

Pictures with Santa

Saturday, November 8^th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the lobby of the Health Park

Little Things Photography will set up a mini studio in the lobby of the Health Park, where you can have your picture taken with Santa. Bring children, friends or family (no pets please) and get a 5x7 and 4 wallets for only a $20.00 donation. 

NFL Day for Trey

Sunday, November 9^th 2008 at Roca Bar on Hwy. 54

Come early to reserve your seat but the games start at 1:00 PM, a portion of all food sales go to Trey. Plus there will be  a pizza eating contest, live and silent auction, Miller Girls, raffles, 50/50 pots and lots more!

Beef 'O' Brady's

Monday, November the 17^th at Beef's

10% of all food sales will go to Trey. We will be there selling T-shirts and we are looking into some Shriner’s clowns for the kids. Please come have dinner between 4 and 8 PM and help give Trey sight! -Compiled by Katie O’Bryan

For more information and updates on Trey and events to help give Trey sight, please visit www.helpgivetreysight.com.

To purchase a T-shirt with the “I helped give Trey sight” logo for only $10, please visit Talbot’s on Frederica in front of Towne Square Mall or purchase at any fundraiser. All proceeds go to Trey.