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frankfortstationdaily.com news
the frankfort station | December 26, 2019 | 3
Community supports Frankfort student at CHARGE Christmas
Mary Compton
Freelance Reporter
6
Dominic Steinhauser
was the boy of the hour.
Playing the perfect host,
he guided visitors around
his yard on Thursday, Dec.
19, to see about 130 blowup
holiday figures decorating
the family home
for CHARGE Christmas.
From Darth Vader to PJ
Masks’ Catboy, each one
had a special part in the
evening.
The concept first originated
last fall when Dominic’s
mother, Deanna
Steinhauser, told Dominic
the family would get him
an inflatable Christmas
decoration if he could get
through a medical procedure.
Dominic then wished
for 100 inflatable figures.
“Next thing I know,
the doorbell rings with
a Christmas inflatable,
it rings again with another
inflatable,” Deanna
Steinhauser said. “Before
Christmas, we had over
100 of them. My friends
and I were talking and
thinking how we can pay
it forward. Obviously
Dominic loves a party and
loves to show off his inflatables,
so we decided to
do CHARGE Christmas.”
CHARGE syndrome is
a rare congenital condition
that includes features such
as coloboma, heart defects,
atresia choanae and ear abnormalities.
According to
Deanna Steinhauser, Dominic
has most but not all of
the symptoms.
“For CHARGE Syndrome,
there are no two
kids that are alike,” she
said. “It’s very rare, only
one in 10,000 kids. When
you’re comparing this,
autism is one in every 60
kids, which is a huge difference.
Joey Druetzler, 4, of Mokena, looks at the inflatable
Christmas decorations donated to the Steinhauser family.
“Last year we had over
400 people,” she added.
“We also ask for an optional
donation if they would
like to make a donation
to CHARGE Syndrome
Foundation. The donation
does help him and other
kids go to conferences and
do research and whatever
the foundation needs it
for. You’re not required to
make a donation, because
we want people to experience
the joy that it brings
Dominic.”
Community members
stopped by the Steinhauser
home throughout the evening
to greet Dominic,
make a donation and view
the Christmas blow-ups.
One of Dominic’s visitors
and biggest fans was Rita
Meek, a teacher of the
deaf and hard of hearing
at Hickory Creek Middle
School.
“I wanted to come out
and support him,” Meek
said. “I also know how
much he cares about all his
blow-ups. He loves them.
He has talked about them
all week at school. They
bring him so much joy.
When I said we’re going
to do a research project, he
would say, ‘On blow-ups
and inflatables?’”
Meek brought her two
young sons, Abdas and
Donovan, to the block party.
Their favorite blow up
was PJ Masks’ Catboy.
“Dominic is the first
student I’ve taught that
has CHARGE syndrome,”
Meek said. “He misses a lot
of school, which has been
his biggest struggle. But
when he’s in class, he is
so enthusiastic. He encourages
everyone around him.
It’s rare you see him sad.”
When Dominic is not
able to attend school,
Meek still comes and
teaches him at home.
“He is always eager to
learn and wants to get back
on track,” she said. “For
any child, I want them to
know that I’m there for
them.”
Several Frankfort firefighters
from Frankfort
Fire Protection District
Station 74 were among
those who showed up at
the family’s house.
“I love coming here,”
said Jason Vaccaro, a firefighter
and paramedic.
“Tonight we also get to
meet the residents who are
close to our fire station.”
As he looked at all the
Christmas inflatables, Vaccaro
said he was happy to
be at Dominic’s CHARGE
Christmas.
Hickory Creek Middle School choir members (left to right) Jaime O’Sullivan, Logan
Venable, Abby Shanesy, Kylie Steinhauser, Lia Delage and Jayden Alexander sing
holiday songs Thursday, Dec. 19, at the CHARGE Christmas event in front of the
Steinhauser home in Frankfort. Photos by Mary Compton/22nd Century Media
“It’s not often you get to
take part in a block party
so close to Christmas,”
Vaccaro said. “It looks
cool. My favorite is the
shaking dog. To include
us, they wanted us to come
out and participate, so we
are letting the kids sit in
the fire engine and try on
the fire gear.”
As the night was wrapping
up, residents enjoyed
donuts from The Little Red
Donut truck and listened
to music performed by
the Hickory Creek Middle
School choir. Dominic’s
eighth-grade sister Kylie,
who could not be prouder
of her brother, brought
some of her friends from
the choir to sing carols.
“We wanted something
There’s no place like Frankfort.
And, like you, we’re happy to call it
home. And we’re proud to be here
celebrating 22 years of service. Thank
you for your business and your trust.
American Family Mutual Insurance Company,
S.I. & its Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company,
6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783
002130 – Rev. 11/16 ©2016 – 9376331
to amp up the holiday
cheer even more, so we
wanted to sing tonight,”
Kylie said. “ ... We’re
starting a tradition. Singing
in the choir is my passion,
so to be able to combine
that with my brother
and my family is a dream
for me. It’s a combination
of two things that I love
the most.”
Maria Hohman, Agent
15 Oak St Ste 2C,
Frankfort, IL 60423
Bus: (815) 464-6155
mhohman@amfam.com
mariahohman.com