Page 12 - Talk of Tequesta - December '22

Page 12, The Talk Of Tequesta

Fundraising evenTs

Jupiter Law Center Swept The Clouds Away

With Its 17th Annual Fundraiser Benefiting

The Aicardi Syndrome Foundation!

Jupiter Law Center
was thrilled to return to
its in-person fundraising
event after a two-year
COVID driven hiatus.
And it was the sunny
day everyone hoped
for! With the support of
hundreds of the firm’s
friends and family
over the years, Adam
and Lissa Gumson of
Jupiter Law Center have
raised over $535,000 in
donations to the Aicardi
Syndrome Foundation, a
100 percent volunteer run nonprofit organization. The $530,000-plus raised since 2006 thus far helps of volunteers (mostly the affected families and their
The signature event is an Annual Halloween Aicardi the foundation to fund research grants at both Baylor extended family and friends).
Costume Party. This past October saw attendees dressing like University and the University of California at San To learn more about Aicardi Syndrome or Ava
their favorite cartoon characters. The muse for this annual Francisco, underwrites the cost of wheelchairs and Shaye Gumson or the other Aicardi girls, log on to
affair – Lissa and Adam’s daughter Ava – turned 18 this year. equipment that otherwise may not be obtainable, and www.aicardisyndromefoundation.org and/or www.
And while she may “officially” be an adult, she still aids families in attending the bi-annual family conference ouraicardilife.org or contact Jupiter Law Center at (561)
experiences the incredible joy and wonder of cartoons where attendees impacted by Aicardi Syndrome from all 744-4600 if you have any other questions about Aicardi
(especially Sesame Street), primary colors, and happy over the world gather to exchange information. This, in Syndrome or about how you can help support the Aicardi
songs. So, dressing up as Elmo, Miss Piggy, the Flintstones turn, enhances each family’s ability to care for its own Syndrome Foundation.
and other classic characters just made sense. 150-plus Aicardi child. Since only 4,000 girls worldwide are
attendees were treated to a full-sized Sesame Street front afflicted with the syndrome, there is very little money
stoop, sign and characters, colorful balloons, kids’ games, for research and the foundation is made up entirely
and the sleight-of-hand and mindreading exploits of Larry
Greenberg of Greenberg Productions. The evening even
included a dance-off between the multiple Oscars, Cookie
Monsters and Fred Flintstones who attended. It’s amazing
what a costume can do to bring out the some heretofore
well-hidden dancing talent!
Flint Technologies donated a laptop computer as it has
for many years, and golf-related raffle items provided by
Tequesta Country Club ensured that spirits were high and
contributions kept coming as everyone tried their luck in
the evening’s games of chance.
$40,000 was raised for the Aicardi Syndrome
Foundation at the party and more donations will continue
to arrive through the balance of the year. The event is a
passion project for Adam and Lissa Gumson, whose oldest Fundraising Events on page 13
daughter, Ava Shaye Gumson, was diagnosed as a baby
with Aicardi Syndrome, a rare congenital neurological
seizure disorder which inhibits the normal development of
motor skills, sight and speech, causing mild to profound
developmental delays.
When she was diagnosed, the Gumsons were informed
that Ava’s life expectancy was no more than two years.
Ava at 18 continues to attend The Learning Academy on
the campus of the Els Center of Excellence and although
she is nonverbal, severely delayed and has multiple daily
seizures, she is a happy, joyful girl who loves Elmo and
the rest of the Sesame Street gang. Her delight and wonder
at seeing so many of her favorite characters come to life
as she welcomed guests confirmed this year’s theme was
probably the best ever.
What started as a small party with friends and family
held at the Gumsons’ home in the early years has blossomed
into a major annual event now held at the Tequesta Country
Club. In its fifth year of hosting the festivities, Tequesta
Country Club did another bang-up job with delicious and
abundant food and drinks, the donation of raffle prizes and
the decorations that brightened the room and reinforced
the exuberant mood. Located in Gallery Square North
367 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL
Now accepting phone orders (561)295-5962
Hours : Mon-Sat 3-9pm Sundays 5-8pm

Stop in to try our delicious scooped ice cream, blend
one of our 16 flavors into a milkshake or if you're
feeling adventurous try our signature drilled ice cream
where you are creating your own custom flavor of soft
serve ice cream with each order!