Fundraiser Successful For 11-Year-Old’s Fundraiser Service Dog

UPDATE: According to the Facebook fundraiser, the family has met the fundraising goal to fund the service dog.

The following story was submitted by Alexandria resident J-Lynn Van Pelt.

The holiday season is a time of miracles. A time of possibilities. People share their wish lists and work to make others happy. This year more than most, what is truly important is at the forefront of everyone’s minds—safety, family, community.

Bonita Van Pelt, or Bo as she prefers, is an 11-year-old powerhouse of energy and joy who lives with multiple developmental disabilities—Autism and FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). And she needs the community’s help.

See, Bo has a big Christmas wish. She’s been approved for an Autism/FASD Service Dog through 4 Paws for Ability (https://4pawsforability.org/) in Xenia, Ohio. It costs 4 Paws for Ability between $40,000 – $60,000 to train and properly place each service dog. 4 Paws covers most of the cost, but Bo’s family still needs to raise $17,000!

The Van Pelts have started the Bo’s 12 Days of Christmas Service Dog Fundraiser (https://www.facebook.com/donate/238464574368240/) to help make that wish come true! In just 3 weeks, they have already raised over 2/3 of the total and now need help to raise the last $4,000. Each day on the Facebook campaign, Bo and her mom post a new set of fun pictures and information about how a Service Dog would help positively impact her life.

Bonita said, “I am going to take care of this doggy with all my heart, and I’m going to make sure it has the perfect home.”

Bo brings creativity and kindness into the community but gets anxious and overwhelmed easily as she struggles daily to navigate a world that is not easily understood. Bo lives with her mom and two siblings, who are also neurodiverse, in a loving home with a multitude of supports. But, the one missing support that could help her at home, school, and in the community is a Service Dog trained just for Bo's unique needs.

Bo could use a little help from some community angels to make this Christmas wish come true!

If you would like to donate or share the fundraiser, please visit: www.facebook.com/donate/238464574368240.