Post by dawn on Aug 6, 2010 9:33:23 GMT -5
Friends and family of a murdered 4-year-old boy continue their advocacy efforts for child-abuse awareness through a variety of fundraisers, including two Saturday.
All proceeds from the fundraisers, which have included a car wash, will benefit the nonprofit organization Justice For Dominick Calhoun Inc., named for the 4-year-old boy who was beaten to death at his family's Argentine Township home the weekend of April 9.
"Someone has to do something," Calhoun's paternal grandfather, Rick Calhoun, said. "If we can help someone, so be it. That's something I want to do. ... I hope (Dominick) knows grandpa is trying to do something."
The Dominick Calhoun Memorial Ride will go from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Snapper's, 6484 Bennett Lake Road. The 75-mile bike ride/poker run/spaghetti dinner is $15 per bike and $5 per passenger. Registration is 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Snapper's.
The second annual charity softball game featuring Detroit Red Wings Alumni, Detroit-area celebrities, law enforcement and firefighters from Milford, White Lake Township and Oakland County is 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Duck Lake Pines Park, 1241 N. Duck Lake Road in Highland. Proceeds benefit local charities, including Justice for Dominick Calhoun Inc.
Tickets are available at Baker's of Milford; Comeback Inn; South Lyon Hotel as well as the White Lake Township and Milford police departments.
Tickets at the gate are $15. Children 10 and under are free. All tickets purchased will go into a drawing for raffle prizes that will be awarded throughout the day.
Police allege Dominick's mother's boyfriend, Brandon Hayes, began beating the boy April 9 when he urinated on himself and soiled a couch.
They say the beating continued throughout the weekend and was so severe that the medical staff treating him sought counseling.
Police allege Dominick's mother, Corrine Baker, did not do enough to help her son and that she ignored requests from family and friends who visited the apartment that weekend to seek help for her son
The incident came to light April 11 when Baker's younger sister saw her nephew's battered face and called Rick Calhoun who summoned police to the apartment. Dominick died the next day at a Flint hospital when life support was discontinued.
Both Baker, who is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree child abuse, and Hayes are being held in the Genesee County Jail awaiting trial. Hayes is charged with seven felonies, including murder and torture, in connection to Dominick's death.
Rick Calhoun said it is his passion to share Dominick's tragedy with others and to raise awareness about child abuse.
Initially the family shared their grief on Facebook with the "Justice for Dominick Calhoun!" page. That has turned into the nonprofit organization whose goal is to "spread awareness for Dominick and other abused, neglected, or abandoned children."
Money raised through the variety of fundraisers goes to the organization, which then distributes it to organizations targeting child abuse prevention, such as Pontiac-based Haven.
Haven is a nonprofit organization with a mission to eliminate domestic violence and sexual abuse through treatment and prevention services.
The group also is raising funds to put an amphitheater, or outdoor theater, in Fenton in Dominick's memory. Funds for that effort are being raised through the sales of merchandise on the Facebook page. Items so far include bracelets and the group hopes to add T-shirts, hats and other items.
"We're not going to stop; we're going to continue," Rick Calhoun promised.
Contact Daily Press & Argus reporter Lisa Roose-Church at (517) 552-2846
All proceeds from the fundraisers, which have included a car wash, will benefit the nonprofit organization Justice For Dominick Calhoun Inc., named for the 4-year-old boy who was beaten to death at his family's Argentine Township home the weekend of April 9.
"Someone has to do something," Calhoun's paternal grandfather, Rick Calhoun, said. "If we can help someone, so be it. That's something I want to do. ... I hope (Dominick) knows grandpa is trying to do something."
The Dominick Calhoun Memorial Ride will go from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Snapper's, 6484 Bennett Lake Road. The 75-mile bike ride/poker run/spaghetti dinner is $15 per bike and $5 per passenger. Registration is 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Snapper's.
The second annual charity softball game featuring Detroit Red Wings Alumni, Detroit-area celebrities, law enforcement and firefighters from Milford, White Lake Township and Oakland County is 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Duck Lake Pines Park, 1241 N. Duck Lake Road in Highland. Proceeds benefit local charities, including Justice for Dominick Calhoun Inc.
Tickets are available at Baker's of Milford; Comeback Inn; South Lyon Hotel as well as the White Lake Township and Milford police departments.
Tickets at the gate are $15. Children 10 and under are free. All tickets purchased will go into a drawing for raffle prizes that will be awarded throughout the day.
Police allege Dominick's mother's boyfriend, Brandon Hayes, began beating the boy April 9 when he urinated on himself and soiled a couch.
They say the beating continued throughout the weekend and was so severe that the medical staff treating him sought counseling.
Police allege Dominick's mother, Corrine Baker, did not do enough to help her son and that she ignored requests from family and friends who visited the apartment that weekend to seek help for her son
The incident came to light April 11 when Baker's younger sister saw her nephew's battered face and called Rick Calhoun who summoned police to the apartment. Dominick died the next day at a Flint hospital when life support was discontinued.
Both Baker, who is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree child abuse, and Hayes are being held in the Genesee County Jail awaiting trial. Hayes is charged with seven felonies, including murder and torture, in connection to Dominick's death.
Rick Calhoun said it is his passion to share Dominick's tragedy with others and to raise awareness about child abuse.
Initially the family shared their grief on Facebook with the "Justice for Dominick Calhoun!" page. That has turned into the nonprofit organization whose goal is to "spread awareness for Dominick and other abused, neglected, or abandoned children."
Money raised through the variety of fundraisers goes to the organization, which then distributes it to organizations targeting child abuse prevention, such as Pontiac-based Haven.
Haven is a nonprofit organization with a mission to eliminate domestic violence and sexual abuse through treatment and prevention services.
The group also is raising funds to put an amphitheater, or outdoor theater, in Fenton in Dominick's memory. Funds for that effort are being raised through the sales of merchandise on the Facebook page. Items so far include bracelets and the group hopes to add T-shirts, hats and other items.
"We're not going to stop; we're going to continue," Rick Calhoun promised.
Contact Daily Press & Argus reporter Lisa Roose-Church at (517) 552-2846
www.livingstondaily.com/article/20100806/NEWS01/8060302/Fundraisers-on-tap-to-fight-child-abuse