Up and down Lincoln Avenue there’s an opportunity for everyone to bring a little Valentine’s Day love to a 5-year-old boy named Marlon Valentine.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga delivered mailboxes and Valentine’s Day cards to multiple businesses in town so that supporters of Marlon – who is battling leukemia – can send him a happy wish.
The mailboxes were donated by Silverado ACE, and the Boys & Girls Club purchased the fun Valentine’s Day cards that are available at each mailbox. Well-wishers can write a personal message on a free, supplied Valentine’s Day card to Marlon, drop it in the box, and it will be delivered to him at the hospital where he is undergoing chemotherapy in preparation of a bone marrow transplant that will be provided by his younger brother, 3-year-old Ivan.
Donations are welcome, and the boxes are all equipped with locking mechanisms, but donations aren’t required to send Marlon a Valentine’s message.
A GoFundMe page was set up to help collect donations for Marlon’s family to offset costs not covered by insurance. Marlon is receiving care in Oakland, and his mother, Maria Trujillo, has had to take time off of work at her job as an aide at Calistoga Elementary School to care for Marlon, and during the birth of her daughter, Priscilla, in December.
Marlon is a fan of Michael Jackson, and was granted a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation last summer where they hosted a Michael Jackson-themed party for him. His signature song has become “Beat It.”
The GoFundMe page has received more than its goal of $5,000, with donations valuing anywhere from $5 up to $1,000. There are dozens of messages from donors on the page as well.
“Prayers your way Marlon! Sending you positive and healing thoughts and lots of love,” wrote Vicka Llamas, principal of Calistoga Elementary School, where Marlon is a kindergartner.
“I don’t know you Marlon but I am pulling for you! Stay strong little man! God bless!” wrote Rachel Hays with her donation.
Read More: HERE
Source: napavalleyregister / MJ-Upbeat.com
Great idea, I think it will get a lot of small sheets Marlon … I wish him good health