Student raises funds to send 50 young patients on trip

Valentine’s Day is about flowers, candy and showing you care and this Feb. 14 Ian Waterhouse wants to see the love — and the cash.

The Estero High senior along with his classmates is heading up a fundraiser to send 50 pediatric oncology patients from Healthpark to Walt Disney World, in Orlando, in mid-March.

“We need as much as people can donate,” said Waterhouse, 17, of Bonita Springs, at a recent principal’s breakfast to honor his efforts. “These kids wouldn’t get to go otherwise.”

And, to Waterhouse, helping children is important since he is serving as this year’s Florida Association of Student Council State President.

The position includes duties that challenge middle and high school students across the state to “give a child a wish,” the association’s theme.

“We wanted to do an extra special project and show all schools what we can do if we work hard,” said Waterhouse, who will also oversee similar projects at schools in the state. “We are getting a lot of support from the community and I’m grateful for that.”

Waterhouse has to raise $30,000 for the trip to ensure all patients and one parent are allowed to attend.

“Disney is working with us but they aren’t giving us the best discounts so we need help,” said Waterhouse, adding that doctors will choose who gets to go on the one-day trip based on their treatment schedules. “We need to get it in as soon as possible so we can set everything up.”

Three buses have already been arranged and local businesses have donated $22,000 to the cause.

“The students at Estero High are really helping too. They are doing more fundraisers to help,” Waterhouse said.

If you would like to help, call Student Council Adviser Judy Avant at 947-9400.