Communities Rally Behind Woman in Need of Lung Tranplant

After a month in which the Homewood-Flossmoor community banded together to help Homewood-Flossmoor High School graduate Josie Nordman through local businesses, they're rising to the challenge again, with the help of neighbors in Chicago Heights, digging deep.

On Saturday, May 11, the Drama Group of Chicago Heights, 330 W. 202nd Street, will host, 'An Evening for Josie,' in an effort to continue raising money for Nordman's treatments. Nordman suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that has left her with less than 15-percent function in her lungs. 

"We heard about Josie and we just thought, 'How can we not help,'" said Tina Zagone, a spokersperson for the Drama Group. "

After hearing about the struggles of Nordman, the community came together and has raised more than $50,000 through two websites, The Josie Normand Lung Transplant Fund and Josie Norman's Lung Transplant.  In April, local businesses selectively chose specific days to donate proceeds from the business day to Nordman.

Now, the Drama Group hopes to raise $10,000 for donation toward her treatments.

"That's what we're hoping to raise," Zagone said. "We've got some great silent auction items, a nice production and other things. It should be a great night."

The event, which kicks off at 7 p.m., will feature a silent auction, performance and light snacks and cocktails. It is hoped that Nordman herself will attend the event, although she has spent the last week or so in the hospital. 

Tickets for the event cost $25 per person and can be purchased by emailing Judie Felix at jfelix@dramagroup.org. 

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