Fundraiser begins for Fannin family

The Ritzville Foursquare Church is organizing a community FUNDrive to raise money for Tim and Brandi Fannin to purchase a wheelchair accessible van.

The Fannins’ eight-year-old daughter, Zoey has pachygyria, which is a developmental condition caused by a rare random genetic mutation early in the pregnancy.

The condition manifests in complex epilepsy, as well as an inability to walk and brain decay.

Zoey has been using a feeding tube since she was two years old. She is more prone to illnesses like the cold and flu, which usually requires her family to travel to the hospital for treatment and breathing complications as well.

Their family includes their other children, Lily, 10, Audrey, 5, and Brandi’s six-year-old nephew, Aiden.

Zoey and her family make weekly trips to Spokane for doctor’s appointments. As Zoey grows older, it has become more difficult for Brandi to lift her in and out of her wheelchair.

Tim and Brandi have researched ways to purchase a used van or converting their own vehicle to help Zoey, but the cost is more than they can afford.

Tim works as a manager at McDonald’s and Brandi formerly worked at Best Western Bronco Inn.

Due to a change in Tim’s schedule, Brandi left Best Western and is now working as a private housekeeper and substitute teacher at school.

The church hopes to raise up to $80,000 to help the family purchase a new wheelchair accessible van.

All of the money raised during the fundraiser will benefit the Fannin family.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the fundraiser can go to Umpqua Bank in Ritzville and donate money to the account “Funds for Zoey’s Van.”

The church is also in the process of creating a GoFundMe page for the fundraiser.

Best Western Bronco Inn is committing $500 to the fundraiser. The cutoff date for raising money is Dec. 31.

For more information about the fundraiser or to donate, contact Pastor Bill Cox at 659-0756, Amy Galbreath at 659-0778, Brandi Fannin at 431-7634 or Danielle Bolin at Umpqua Bank at 659-0180.