Legion Family changes life of severely burned youth

The Enoch family were also donated a car by the Andy Mohr dealership to assist them in continuing Josie's medical treatment

Story by Sherri McGee,
 
MARTINSVILLE, Ind., - American Legion Riders Chapter 230 hosted a birthday party for a very special young lady, Josie Enochs.  Josie is a 12-year-old girl who suffered terrible burns from throwing gas on an open fire in 2016.

Josie’s burns require numerous visits to Riley. Parents who have children with disabilities, illnesses, injuries, etc. can tell you that constant trips to hospitals in another city cause a financial burden. 

The Enochs family has an additional burden as they don’t own a car.  They currently live in Bloomington and make the trip to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis, frequently!

Josie’s grandmother, Karol, plays bingo every Wednesday at American Legion Post 230.  One evening she shared the story of her granddaughter and the numerous procedures and surgeries Josie has undergone. 

After learning about the family’s need the Riders decided to help.  The Riders decided they would celebrate Josie’s birthday, with her friends and family on March 11, and to give the funds collected for the family at that time!   

Michael Lorian the Director of ALR Chapter 230, (American Legion Riders) put together a group that set about fund raising and party planning.  All the organizations at Post 230, the Legionnaires, Ladies Auxiliary and the Sons donated their time, monies, food and gifts for the party! 
Director Lorian and Membership/Finance Officer Sherri McGee contacted local car dealerships hoping to provide a car for the family but it wasn’t looking good!

Josie has a twin brother, Dustin.  He has blue/green hair and will tell you, he’s 9 minutes older!  They made sure he was included in the festivities!

Josie checked in with Director Lorain daily to ensure the party plans were going well! 

The day of the party finally arrived!  The room was decked out in a basketball theme as Josie wants to be a basketball player. 

Dustin, Josie and a posse of friends and family arrived about 2:00p.m.  Representatives from American Legion Post 103, Mooresville and American Legion Post 64, attended the party!

Guests enjoyed home cooked food with cake and ice cream.  The kids played cornhole, basketball, musical chairs and Simon Says! 

After playing games Josie and Dustin opened their gifts!  Afterward, Director Lorian presented Kimberly Enochs, Josie’s mother, Dustin and Josie with a check totaling nearly $4,000.00.  American Legion Post 64 gave the family a check for $2,000.00 making the total raised almost $6,000.00!

Kimberly, Josie and Dustin thanked everyone for the wonderful party and money!  BUT, the party wasn’t over yet!  There was one more BIG surprise to come!

The television series, Steel Horse, taped the party and asked that everyone come outside to help “close” the show!  Everyone gathered around to do a group shot in front of the Legion.  Kimberly, Dustin and Josie were being interviewed for the final segment of the show while the crowd looked on.

The interviewer told Kimberly he had heard they needed a car and wished he could just give them the car they were standing in front of!  Then before, she could respond, he continued and said, “Well, you know what?  The car your standing in front of, is actually yours!”  As he said this he was handing her the keys and the look on the family’s face was priceless!

At the final hour, Andy Mohr donated a car!  He was very touched after hearing the family’s struggle!

The party was a huge success!  Grandmother, Karol said that Josie needs a new bed and these funds will allow her to buy a bed which will meet her needs.  She said the family was overwhelmed with the kindness and support they have received from the American Legion family!

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