More heroes needed to give young liver recipient a permanent home with siblings

By Ed Runyan | March 29, 2017 at 12:05a.m.

WARREN

When David Denovchek of Niles donated part of his liver in 2015 to a girl in Trumbull County Children Services custody, he saved her life.

On Tuesday, he urged more people to join an effort to give Jamie, now 6, “an amazing life” that includes a permanent home and family that includes all three of her siblings.

Children Services partnered with Homes For Kids, an architect and several other companies in announcing “A Home for Jamie and Her Siblings,” an effort to raise the last $50,000 in cash and materials to provide a big enough house to allow her prospective foster parents to give a home to Jamie and her brother.

“Jamie’s health is stable and her life resembles a more normal 6-year-old’s,” Marilyn Pape, a CSB supervisor, told reporters from the home of the couple interested in adopting Jamie and Jeremiah, 8.

“While the four children visit each other, they are missing out on what many of us take for granted,” Pape said. “Jamie and Jeremiah don’t live with the security of knowing where they will wake up a year from now, who they will call Mom and Dad.

“We have identified a wonderful family who is currently caring for their siblings. They know the future will not be one sunny day after another, as they and their own biological children and these children adjust to each other,” Pape said.

But the real obstacle is the potential adoption couple needs a larger home with two additional bedrooms and an additional bathroom before they can adopt all four children.

After announcing the need last fall, Pape said “heroes” came forward: architect Andy Bednar of Baker, Bednar, Snyder and Associates; United Contractors of Northeast Ohio; and electricians from Becdel Controls in Niles.

They and Miller Young Paving, Warren Glass and Paint, Mr. Rooter Plumbing, Satolli Carpet and Flooring, Steven’s Masonry, Robert Metzinger and Keynote Media are contributing $40,000 of the $90,000 project.

Contributions have been given by The Strimbu Memorial Fund, Mahoning Valley Chapter of Electrical Contractors, Locals 64 and 573, and others.

“We are still in need of a heating and air-conditioning system, roofing, concrete, lumber and windows plus cash donations and labor,” Pape said.

Homes for Kids is serving as a nonprofit community partner to manage the contributions that are tax deductible.

To contribute, visit www.youcaring.com/homeforjamieandjeremiah or call CSB at 330-372-2010, ext. 1207.