The Brain Station Daycare and Preschool in Crystal City is raising money for the family of Evie Molner, a 7-year-old enrolled in the day care who has ATR-X syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disease.
The first fundraising effort for the Molners is a raffle to win rides in a UH-1H “Huey” helicopter on June 3 at Creve Coeur Airport in Maryland Heights. The drawing for the prize will be held May 31.
Raffle tickets cost $25 each or five tickets for $100. Five winners will be drawn to take a helicopter ride on June 3, said Brent Jones, one of the Brain Station owners.
Proceeds from the raffle will go to the family to help them cover medical expenses and other related expenses, Jones said.
“I know (ATR-X syndrome) requires extremely expensive treatment,” he said.
Jones said Evie and her mother and father, Sarah and Richard Molner, will be treated to a helicopter ride on June 3, too.
“We bought the family tickets,” Jones said.
Normally, the UH-1H helicopter rides cost $110 per person, according to literature provided by The Brain Station, 450 Bailey Road.
Jones said Evie is a valued member of the Brain Station family.
“She’s been coming here a long time,” he said
Jones said the day care also is planning a barbecue fundraising event to be held June 24 at the Brain Station. He said the barbecue will start in the late morning.
“Barbecue must be preordered at least a week in advance,” he said.
Sarah Molner said she appreciates the Brain Station raising funds for her family, who live in Festus.
“They’ve been a huge support to us,” she said. “We are really grateful for The Brain Station and what they’re doing for us. We are really thankful for having them in our lives.
“(ATR-X syndrome) is a huge financial burden. There are (staggering) costs for the specialist visits, and she has equipment she uses for mobility. I tell people ATR-X is a rare genetic mutation that causes intellectual disability, developmental delays and other health problems.”
To purchase raffle tickets for chances at the helicopter ride, to preorder food from the barbecue or for more information about the raffle or barbecue, visit The Brain Station, call 636-933-7355 or visit The Brain Station Daycare and Preschool Facebook page.