Scrapbooking fundraiser to benefit children’s hospital

By JENNIFER KEEFE
Democrat Staff Writer

SOMERSWORTH — Just 33 days after Christopher Henricks was born, a rare and crippling disease took his life. However, while he was alive for only a short time, his grandmother, Karen Henricks, has made sure his memory lives on.

Henricks is organizing a fundraiser in her grandson’s name to benefit Children’s Hospital Boston, the hospital she says worked hard to help Christopher until the very end.

“They were so good to him, and to us, as we went through some difficult decisions,” Henricks said.

Christopher suffered from a diaphragmatic hernia, which ultimately pushed his abdominal organs into his chest, compressed his lungs and pushed his heart over. Fortunately, the disease was detected during routine testing before he was born, allowing doctors to prepare for the delicate surgery required immediately following his birth. The surgery would place his internal organs back to their proper places, and although it was successful, complications in the days to follow proved fatal for the infant.

“He was the worst case Boston had ever seen,” Henricks said. “(Doctors) said they learned a lot in just 33 days.”

Christopher was on life-support machines for the 33 days he was alive, an experience Henricks says was hard to go through. In recent years, however, she has channeled her grief into a positive cause — raising money to help the hospital that helped her grandson.

“This is a way for (our family) to continue to work through our grief,” she said. “We want to give back.”

This year, Henricks has organized a scrapbooking event for anyone who wishes to donate money to Children’s Hospital Boston and get a little creative at the same time. The event, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 5 in the cafetorium at Somersworth High School, is fondly and aptly named “Christopher’s Legacy.”

Admission is $35, and the day is jam-packed with activities.

Door prizes, food, and on-site scrapbooking vendors are just some of the activities offered, and Henricks is hoping many people will attend, as in past years, so they can raise as much money as possible for the cause.

All money raised will be donated directly to the hospital. Henricks said in past years, they have been able to contribute quite a bit thanks to the generous donations of locals who attend the fundraisers.

Henricks said she has organized several fundraisers, the most successful of which yielded nearly $2,000.

This year is the first time she has planned a scrapbooking event, but enthusiastic participation from local businesses such as The Frugal Scrapper on Main Street; You Name It!, an engraving and monogramming company; and Close to My Heart and Creative Memories, scrapbooking supply companies, has given her a positive outlook on this year’s event.

Henricks said there is no set monetary goal in mind; she is just hoping to raise anything to donate to the hospital.

“We try to do the best we can,” she said.

A pre-registration fee of $35 is required before April 28 to reserve a place at the “Christopher’s Legacy” crop day event. Contact Karen Henricks at 603-692-2986.

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