Concert for boy with PTSD
A benefit concert is planned for November 12 at the Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church to raise money for a young Rossville boy in need of a service dog.
Shawn Sondervan, 8, has had a history of medical and emotional issues in his brief life, having battled a heart defect, feeding tube and sexual abuse.
Shawn’s mother, Stacey Sondervan, has been working for months to acquire a service dog to help her son.
In July 2016, Stacey said, “We are talking about a little boy who has been through more than his share.”
Stacey said she and Shawn’s psychiatrist agreed that having a service dog would be useful in treating his Asperger’s and PTSD.
“It’s not a cure-all by any means, but is definitely a tool that can possibly really help his quality of life,” she said in July.
The cost for a service dog is $12,500, but the price could easily climb to $15,000.
So far, the Sondervan’s have been able to raise roughly over $5,000 to purchase the service canine.
The goal, she said, is to raise the $12,500 for the purchase of the service dog.
The benefit concert is free. There will be a bake sale, vendors, crafts, kids games, face painting, just to name a few activities. All proceeds will go towards the purchase of the service dog.
The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church located at 90 Nick-A-Jack Lane in Flintstone.
“Consecutive Worship” will be headlining the concert for young Shawn.
Stacey thanks the community for their continued support.
“This is a great cause for a boy who has struggled for so long,” she said of her son. “I will continue to fight for him. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him.”