VFW Donation Helps Make Family's Dream Come True

From left: Kodee Crouser, Anthony Christopher, Christopher Proctor, Tristen Crouser, Monique Crouser, Rick Crouser. Menifee 24/7 photo: Kristen Spoon

The generosity of Menifee area residents toward a local cancer survivor was capped off Saturday by a very special presentation at a fundraising garage sale at the home of the Crouser family.

Tristen Crouser is an 11-year-old who survived cancer thanks to a bone marrow donor who lives thousands of miles away in Germany. For weeks, Tristen's family has been working hard to raise funds so the family can travel to Berlin to meet Ines Borck, the woman whose donation gave Tristen new life. Menifee residents responded, donating to online fundraising accounts and contributing at other fundraisers, such as Saturday's garage sale.

The garage sale was already drawing a big crowd Saturday at 8 a.m. when two representatives of VFW Post 1956 from Sun City arrived. Having read about the Crousers' need and realizing Tristen's father Rick is a veteran, Commander Christopher Proctor and First Vice Commander Anthony Christopher approached the family with quite a surprise -- a check for $500 from VFW Post 1956.

After tears were shed and hugs exchanged, the group posed for a photo. Monique Crouser, Tristen's mother, said that with the cash donation, the family now has enough funds for the trip to Germany. They plan to leave May 23 for an emotional meeting with Borck.

On behalf of the Crouser family, Menifee 24/7 thanks all those who contributed to this worthy cause. We will update the story when the family returns from Germany.