Parker's Purpose still going strong

Parker's Purpose is nearing the $1 million mark in grants given. At the age of 6 months, Parker Inks was diagnosed with congenital muscular dystrophy. He's been fortunate enough to remain mobile, thanks to a motorized wheelchair, a piece of equipment that he's used since he was 2 years old. Formed by Todd Drusback nearly two decades ago, Parker's Purpose is named for Inks, then a third-grade student in the class of Drusback's wife at Sacred Heart School in Fremont. "She said I have this neat kid in class and wondered if there would be a role he could play for the football team," said Drusback, who was the St. Joseph Central Catholic football coach at the time. "We made Parker our kicking ball and tee boy. "Every time the ball was kicked, he would go out in his motorized wheelchair," he added. "We would put the ball on his tray, and he would head off the field. It was really beneficial as we always knew where the kicking ball and tee were." Drusback, who coaches at Rossford now, said Parker progressed to giving some pregame speeches, but things took a bad turn in March 2008. "I got a phone call from Sister Adell, who was Parker's teaching aid at the time, that Parker is being life-flighted with respiratory distress," Drusback said. "He crashed multiple times during the life flight trip and had to be incubated. "I remember getting a phone call the next day from his mom, Patti. They had stabilized him, but his emotional health was not good." Drusback went up and visited Parker and Patti the next day. Drusback said Parker had tubes and electrodes all around him and a breathing tube in. "He was alert and aware of everything," Drusback said. "I remember talking to him about his purpose. The team missed him and needed him. I told him people needed him and that he had a purpose. "I took his hand, and he squeezed it as hard as he could and looked right into my eyes. It was one of those divine intervention moments that I will never forget." Drusback said when he left the hospital, he started an email prayer chain. At the bottom of the email, Drusback simply stated that if anyone wanted to donate, there was an address to send it to. Patti was also battling cancer at the time and was getting ready to start chemotherapy. "The email chain grew fast with the power of networking," Drusback said. "Checks started coming in for the family. From there, over the next couple of weeks, a group of us organized a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at Fremont St. Joe. "We served over 1,100 people in three hours. It was like a line at Cedar Point, ready to get on a rollercoaster." Parker recovered after over 30 days in the hospital. That was when Drusback and company started a dinner auction in June 2008. "By the support of so many generous people, we were able to raise a good amount of money for the family," Drusback said. "After the last fundraiser, a group of us, including Patti, got together and said what an uplifting experience this was and that we know there are so many families out there that are going through similar struggles — but with nowhere to turn for help. "So the Inks' family took some of their fundraising monies, and we decided to start Parker's Purpose." Drusback said they wanted a broad scope so they could donate to families with children who have a life-altering illness or disability. Parker's Purpose has been helping families for 18 years, and Saturday will be the 17th dinner auction. It takes place at Ole Zim's Wagon Shed near Gibsonburg. Past guest speakers have included Rudy Ruettiger (inspiration for the 1993 film 'Rudy'), two-time Heisman Trophy winner and former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin, former Heisman Trophy winner and current BGSU football coach Eddie George, former OSU football coach Jim Tressel, former OSU linebacker Chris Spielman, former Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier and former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and ESPN NFL analyst Merril Hoge. Also in the list of past speakers is former OSU wide receiver Joey Galloway and former University of Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, former OSU and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier, former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek, former college and NFL coach Herm Edwards and former Notre Dame and Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn. Saturday's speaker will be former OSU and NFL quarterback and wide receiver Braxton Miller. "We want to continue to expand and grow," Drusback said. "We currently collaborate with Itaalk who is an organization that provides iPad training to families and educators with children on the autism spectrum. We help fund the iPads." Drusback said they've given to over 1,000 families in the past 18 years, nearing the $1,000,000 mark in grants given. They also collaborate with The Perfect Fit Foundation, of which local official Thom Dartt is president. "Their football officiating crew acknowledges a student for the schools the game is being played between that meets our criteria," Drusback said. "They give the child officiating gear, a football, and have them be a part of the coin toss. We provide a monetary donation to the child's family." Parker currently works at the Fremont Recreational Center and also does some speaking engagements. Patti is a nurse who has survived cancer twice. She is the organization's secretary, and Parker is involved in most meetings. Drusback said supporters can donate money through their website, parkerspurpose.net. He also noted money donations can be sent to Parker's Purpose, 1056 Hazel St., Fremont, Ohio, 43420. Supporters can volunteer, donate auction items, or do a Facebook birthday fundraiser. Tickets are still available for Saturday's dinner. They can be purchased by calling Drusback at 419-680-9568, emailing him at parkerspurpose@gmail.com, or they can purchase online at parkerspurpose.net. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. There will be a Chinese auction, a grand auction, and a speech from Miller. "We also have four corporate sponsors and are looking for more to help us assist more families in need," Drusback said. "We currently give grants in the maximum amount of $1,000. "We want to be able to give more, but we need more donations coming in order to do so."