By Susan Shinn
For The Salisbury Post
CHINA GROVE ó Throughout its 15 years of existence, Godstock has never had to turn a family away.
Yet.
As the 16th Godstock festival approaches this weekend, John Bouk wonders how much longer the nonprofit organization can continue to say “yes” to families of critically ill children.
A grassroots nonprofit organization ó Bouk has been its sole employee ó Godstock assists families of sick children with non-medical expenses, mainly utility and mortgage payments.
But like other nonprofits, Godstock has seen a decline in giving.
“It’s not just us,” Bouk said Wednesday. “There are other nonprofits not even functioning.
“People don’t have the money to take part in our golf tournaments, and foundations aren’t taking applications,” he says. “We’re still functioning, and we haven’t had to tell anybody no yet. That’s not the case with other similar agencies.
“There’s a bigger need and there’s less money.”
Working through social workers, Bouk provides assistance through the organization’s Community Aid Fund to families of children who are patients at Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem and Levine Children’s Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte.
Godstock may make only one utility payment for a family, or the organization may provide assistance for several months with a variety of bills.
“We’ve done it all,” Bouk says, “from buying artificial eyes for children, to paying for experimental medications that insurance and new drugs that insurance won’t cover.”
The goal of the organization, Bouk explains, is to allow a family of a critically ill child to spend as much time as possible with that child.
“We want to keep them in their house,” Bouk says. “We want to keep them with their child.”
As it has since its inception, Godstock continues to help families with nominal donations of $25 or $50.
“That’s what keeps us going,” Bouk says. “You can’t count on corporate money because it’s not there. That’s what kept us going for 15 years.”
Bouk admits it gets harder and harder to raise money, but he also says, “We’ll just find new events and new ways to raise money.”
Tilley Harley-Davidson in Salisbury is planning “Rock N Ride” Oct. 2-3 with proceeds to benefit the Community Aid Fund.
Bouk is just beginning to plan a horseback poker run, tentatively planned for around Thanksgiving. Anyone who loves to ride horses should get in touch.
Bouk acknowledges that while fundraising has had its highs and lows over the last 15 years, “We’ve never had this much trouble bringing in money.”
Bouk would like to see more events benefit the Community Aid Fund, in addition to fundraisers for a specific child.
“We want to help as many children as possible,” he explains. “Some children have connections to children or other organizations, which in turn will sponsor fundraisers. But there are so many kids who don’t have that connection ó that’s the thing.”
Besides working with social workers to identify specific needs of families Godstock helps, the organization also can help put them in touch with other agencies which offer assistance.
For more information about Godstock, contact John Bouk at 704-857-7011 or johnbouk@hotmail.com.

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The Godstock festival is just one of many fundraisers held throughout the year to benefit the Community Aid Fund.
Hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.
The festival takes place at the South Rowan YMCA.
On Saturday, the pool and splash pad will be open and there will be inflatables, live music and concessions.
A blood drive is set for 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
On Sunday, an outdoor service begins at 11 a.m. with live music and concessions to follow.
The festival usually takes place in September, but John Bouk, Godstock president, wanted to take advantage of the pool and splash pad in hopes of a higher turnout.