Singing and sweets are on tap today at Christ Chapel in Warner Robins to help the family of Robert M.L. “Li’l Man” Davis Jr. with medical expenses.
Robert, who will turn 4 years old Nov. 5, was born with pulmonary atresia, a congenital heart condition where no pulmonary valve exists to pump blood to his lungs.
He has been through a series of operations in Atlanta and at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Stanford, Calif., in attempts to stabilize his condition.
Li’l Man and his grandmother and guardian Catherine Holland returned from California in September from their most recent visit, and the family is in need of help with the expenses from the trip and medical procedures.
Two weeks ago, a yard sale, darts tournament and motorcycle ride raised about $2,800, said Holland.
Today’s event will feature singing organized by Jonathan Fisher and The Old Friends gospel singers. People and groups scheduled to appear include Sharon Kay King, DayStar, Common Garments, GloryLand Trio, The Singing 4 Stars, Mike East, Montene Gates, One Accord, Chad Massey, The Feltons and many others.
The bake sale is being organized by Paulette Fountain, newsroom receptionist at The Telegraph in Macon, who said that the baked items should be wrapped and ready for sale when brought to the church. Someone will be at the church on Moody Road in Warner Robins from 2:30 p.m. onward today to handle donated bake sale items, she added.
Also on sale will be autographed copies of “StepDaddy” and “Fat, Dumb and Happy Down in Georgia” by former Telegraph columnist Bill Boyd, and “Smack Dab in Dog Crossing” by columnist Ed Grisamore, Fountain said.
Coming up next weekend in Byron is another fundraising event sponsored by local group Theophilus Ministries.
The “Celebration of Life” on Nov. 8 will mark Robert’s 4th birthday, and is scheduled from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. in downtown Byron. The event will feature food, live bands, rides for children, crafts, a silent auction and a yard sale, according to Barbara Scarborough, ministry director.
The ministry is looking for volunteers and donations for the yard sale, Scarborough said in an e-mail. “We are excited to be involved with this event as Li’l Man has become so much a part of us as well as the Middle Georgia community,” she said. “It is our hope everyone will get involved in joining us to make this day as special as any birthday celebration could be.”
Holland said Friday that Robert has been asked to be the grand marshal of Byron’s Christmas parade Dec. 6.
That’s a lot of excitement for the youngster, she said, and other than doctor visits, there’s nothing else planned after the parade.
“We do take it one day at a time,” Holland said. “He’s going to turn the ‘Big 4’ on Wednesday, and he’s already lived longer than the doctors all predicted. He’s a happy-go-lucky fighter.”
The boy has regained some of the weight he lost while in California, she said, and is able to talk a little now. He suffered a stroke while out there and his vocal cords were temporarily paralyzed. Holland said they have weaned him from a host of medications in the past six weeks.
“He takes some for pain or for any fluid that can accumulate in his lung,” she said. Robert has only one-third of one lung working, and gets exhausted easily, she noted.
“But for what he’s been through, I don’t know how he can be so happy,” she said. “I’ve been blown away by everything the people here are doing and have done for him. I know it’s been the prayers and the love from the community that’s brought him this far.”
IF YOU GO
What: Bake sale and gospel sing fundraiser for Robert M.L. Davis Jr.
When: Starting at 5 p.m. today
Where: Christ Chapel, 2288 Moody Road, Warner Robins
Cost: Free; love offering will be taken
What: “Celebration of Life” party and fundraiser
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 8
Where: Downtown Byron
Information: Barbara Scarborough, Theophilus Ministries, (478) 812-0503
You can help
An account has been set up at Bank of America for donations to help with medical expenses incurred by the Holland family and their grandson, Robert M.L. Davis Jr. Inform the teller your donation is for the account: “Catherine Holland, trustee for the Robert M.L. Davis Jr. Trust Fund.”
