Pulling together

Jose Paul Corona

Henry Gleason and Trent Olson love to romp and play together. In the

past, the 4-year-old playmates have attacked the playground with innocent

glee, never expecting anything to interrupt their boyhood fun.

So when Trent was no longer at recess this spring his friend was

confused.

When Henry saw Trent next he was in a wheelchair.

In May, doctors diagnosed Trent with an inoperable brain tumor. He

began the grueling six-week series of radiation treatments at the end of

May.

Such tragedies break any mother’s heart. For Henry’s mother, Gina

Gleason, hers went out to Trent and his parents Cheri and Kirk Olson and

his 9-year-old brother Chandler.

In many ways Gleason is helpless. She can’t do anything to help

improve Trent’s medical condition, but she can help relieve some of the

worry that his family is feeling.

That’s why she got up at 5 a.m. on Saturday, drove to Long Beach and

picked up 67 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts.

By 6:30 a.m. she had setup shop in her frontyard. A long rectangular

table was loaded up with donuts, coffee, bottled water, lemonade and soft

drinks.

A big homemade banner was hung up on the light post near her home and

she went to work.

When parents at Christ Presbyterian Preschool found out about Trent’s

illness they decided to try and help.

Karen Dorman, who has three children at the school, decided to open a

lemonade stand in front of her home. Soon after, she called Gleason to

ask her whether she thought if any of the other parents would consider

doing the same to help raise money.

Gleason loved the idea, but thought they could make even more money if

they went out into the community to ask for help.

She wrote a letter and began to approach local merchants to see if

they would donate items that could be sold. Before she knew it they had

gotten donations from Krispy Kreme Donuts, Starbukck’s, Smart & Final,

Kinko’s and Trader Joe’s.

A crisp $100, a $50 check and a whole bunch of $20 bills were placed

in the tub that was being used to hold the money that was being raised.

“We’ve made a ton of money,” Gleason said in excitement.

Both Dorman and Gleason said that many who stopped by their makeshift

lemonade stands donated money and didn’t even take a thing with them when

they found out what the money was for.

They are thrilled by the results that they have had so far and can’t

believe how positive the response from the community has been.

“We started this on a whim,” Gleason said.

The Olson family was shocked when they found out about the

fund-raiser, said his aunt Marilyn DeLoach.

“We’re completely astonished and grateful,” she said. “We’re amazed

that people would do something so kind.”

Dorman estimates that the weekend sales from the lemonade stands

raised about $3,000.

They presented Trent and his family with the money Tuesday at a

tearful ceremony at Christ Presbyterian Preschool.

“If you can’t make a difference in life, I don’t know what you can

do,” Gleason said.

All of the children involved have had to learn some hard lesson very

quickly, but Gleason said that her children can take one simple lesson

with them as they grow up.

“Life is fragile,” Gleason said somberly.

FYI

Donations for Trent’s medical expenses can be sent to the Trent Olson

Medical Fund, 18627 Brookhurst St. No. 602, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.