Benefit car show to help pay bills for ill boy’s care

Proceeds help with the costs that are not covered by
insurance.

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

CANFIELD — The ninth annual Joshua Walker Benefit Car & Motorcycle Show is Sept. 30 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Emmanuel Community Church, 6512 Kirk Road.

Joshua, a 10-year-old Austintown resident, suffers from a rare disease known as Metachromatic Leukodystrophy, or MLD.

“Josh is a living miracle, long outliving the expected prognosis for this terminal and incurable disease,” said Lisa Loveless, church administrator. “His presence is a regular fixture in our church and community, and his life and the lives of his family touch countless people on a daily basis.”

MLD attacks the brain and nervous system causing muscle spasms, seizures, paralysis and respiratory problems. Currently, Joshua uses a wheelchair, is unable to speak or perform any voluntary movements, and is fed through a feeding tube, Loveless said.

Purpose of donations

Proceeds are to help with the enormous costs his condition incurs, only a small portion of which are covered by insurance, she said.

Some 300 car and motorcycle participants, and 600 to 700 spectators, came to the 2006 benefit show, which has been featured in several car magazines.

As the 2007 benefit show approaches, its organizers are in need of donations to make the show successful.

“The more donations we have, the more variety we can offer, and the more money we can raise for Joshua,” Loveless said.

During the car and motorcycle show, there are many events, including a Chinese auction, bake sale, trivia contests, giveaways, games, entertainment, music and door prizes.

The show committee is in need of gift certificates and items to place in gift baskets for all these events. Cash donations are also welcome and enable the purchase of larger ticket items, such as DVD players and bicycles, for the auctions.

alcorn@vindy.com