By Kathy Chaffin
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
Though Seth Warren is covered by his father’s insurance, the out-of-pocket expenses and cost of the special food and household products Kevin and Rory have to buy so as not to aggravate the 3-year-old’s severe allergies has exhausted their savings.
The Warrens have cashed in their retirement funds, sold their stocks and even sold Rory’s jewelry, except for her wedding ring, to get by. Though they were forced to sell their Charlotte home due to Rory not being able to return to work with Kevin at Food Lion’s corporate headquarters, they were able to buy a foreclosed house near Faith.
It’s closer to Kevin’s work and only eight miles from the Gold Hill home of his parents, Lorine and Danny Warren.
Though they’ve not kept up with all their expenses over the past three years, Rory says they’ve spent about $15,000 on medical expenses, $8,000 on tests and supplements prescribed by a naturopath doctor and $11,600 on special food and cleaning products that don’t cause allergic reactions in Seth.
Grace Lowerstone Church, where Lorine and Danny are members, is holding a benefit Saturday night to raise money to cover the cost of neurological and genetic testing for Seth at Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center. Rory and Kevin plan to take Seth to his first appointment on April 27.
The benefit will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. and will feature Low Country cooking, including Cajun Jambalaya, chicken bobs, hot dogs for the kids, a variety of desserts made by church members and drinks. Cost is $7 for all you can eat.
A silent auction to be held during the benefit will feature baseballs autographed by Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Hank Aaron and a bat autographed by Sammy Sosa, who in 2007 became the sixth player in baseball history to hit 600 home runs. The items were donated by former Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Shane Burton.
NASCAR memorabilia, including hats autographed by Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth will also be auctioned off along with other items.
Grace Lowerstone Church is located at 2405 Lowerstone Church Road in Rockwell. For more information on Saturday’s benefit, call the church at 704-279-4176 or Danny Warren at 704-279-2126.
Anyone who can’t attend the benefit, but would like to donate to the Warrens can mail a check in care of Seth Warren to Grace Lowerstone Church, 2405 Lowerstone Church Road, Rockwell, N.C. 28138.
Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4249.