By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Cindy and Christopher Johnson, owners of The Cubby, a thrift shop with locations in Caribou and Presque Isle, have announced that 5-year-old Destiny Theriault was selected to receive April’s Hero of the Month award.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Destiny Theriault, 5, recently named The Cubby’s Hero of the Month for April is shown being presented a $50 check by Nikita Cate, right, store manager. At left is Destiny’s grandmother DanaMarie Theriault.
“Despite Destiny’s vocal challenges, she still manages to have her voice heard,” said Cindy Johnson. “I feel confident that through the generous efforts members of surrounding communities, Destiny will be successful in purchasing her much desired (and needed) electronic voice box, allowing her to attend kindergarten this fall as a confident and vocal young lady, continuing to easily interact and inspire her peers.”
Each month The Cubby awards a $50 check to a child who is dealing with a life-threatening illness or who has or is working to overcome other health issues.
Born with apraxia — a chronic disease which prevents Destiny from being able to speak, the 5-year -old communicates through sign language, but for the past year she has learned to operate a computerized communication device which was loaned to her by Child Development Services.
The communication device must be returned to the CDS in August, and through generous community support and ongoing fundraisers Destiny’s family is hoping to raise the $7,000 needed to purchase the communication device.
On April 9, a dinner and auction was held in Washburn to benefit Destiny. “I couldn’t believe the people in Washburn and other towns who came to the dinner,” stated Destiny’s grandmother DanaMarie Theriault. “The tables were filled at least twice.” In the end the one-night affair resulted in $4,000 being added to the bank account where funds are being saved to purchase the device.
At this time according to Vicky Theriault, Destiny’s mother, the balance in the account is at $8,000. The family is waiting to hear what the exact price to purchase the new electronic communication apparatus will be, with hopes that it will be ordered in the very near future.
Individuals can still donate their returnable bottles and cans to Rick’s Redemption Center in Presque Isle or the Washburn Redemption Center, asking that monies be donated to Destiny’s account. There will also be other fundraisers held in the future. Any funds received over and above the cost of the new voice box will be maintained in a trust fund to use in updating the device as needed.
