TITLE: Commending residents of Georgetown for their fund-raising efforts in behalf of five-year-old Wynter Young.

SUMMARY: Commending residents of Georgetown for their fund-raising efforts in behalf of five-year-old Wynter Young.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, In February 2013, generous residents of Georgetown and the surrounding area collected more than $7,000 to help offset the costs of a life-saving operation for five-year-old Wynter Young; and WHEREAS, Wynter is a special needs child born with Down syndrome; strong-willed, rambunctious, and blessed with a beaming smile, she is supported by her loving parents, Adam and Tiffany Young, who have worked to ensure that their daughter experiences all the joys of childhood while she grows to her full potential; and WHEREAS, During a routine medical visit in April 2012, tests revealed that Wynter had a rare complication called atlanto-occipital instability, which placed her at serious risk of breaking her spinal cord in the event of a fall or other traumatic movement; the Youngs quickly began working with doctors to devise a plan of treatment and found that an intensive 10-hour spinal fusion surgery would be required to correct her condition; and WHEREAS, Wynter was cleared to undergo the procedure at Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, which agreed to cover the medical costs; the family still faced a litany of expenses, however, including airfare and hotel stays for several round trips to the hospital; and WHEREAS, Soon enough, the story of this vulnerable young girl and her family reached neighbors across the city, and support began pouring in from a multitude of sources; businesses stepped up to provide them with new tires for the family car and a new mattress, and a team from Home Depot even renovated their kitchen and bathrooms to better accommodate Wynter's recovery process; a number of significant contributions arrived from outside of Georgetown, in particular from members of the Austin Shriners; and WHEREAS, This widespread generosity culminated in a fund-raiser hosted by the family's congregation at NewChurch in partnership with the Downtown Georgetown Alliance; the event drew some 500 attendees for an evening of food, live music, and entertainment and featured a silent auction with a diverse showcase of donations, including footballs autographed by The University of Texas head football coach Mack Brown, as well as quilts stitched and pecans gathered especially for the occasion; and WHEREAS, With the help of organizations, businesses, families, and many caring individuals, the outcome of the fund-raiser far exceeded expectations; on March 7, Wynter successfully underwent surgery, and although the road ahead is long, hopes are high that she will once again be able to run and play without fear of harm; and WHEREAS, The strength of a community may best be judged by how its members care for the most vulnerable among them, and through this meaningful act of charity, area citizens have not only made a lasting difference in a precious young life, but they have also distinguished Georgetown as a place that many compassionate and committed people call home; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby commend the people of Georgetown and beyond for their outstanding efforts in behalf of Wynter Young and her family. Farney Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1502 was adopted by the House on April 24, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House