By:Laura Lane
Originally from Merrick, Burke and her husband, Keith, have lived in North Bellmore for 11 years. Keith has always helped his wife, but when he's at work, life is difficult for Burke. "If I drop something, it stays there," she said. "Sometimes I have to page Keith to come home from work and help me."
A few years ago, Burke read about dogs that are trained to help people with disabilities. The dogs, which are usually Labradors and golden retrievers, are taught some 50 to 100 commands. They can open refrigerator doors and carry food to a disabled person. The dogs can turn lights on and off, and accompany a disabled person to the mall or a restaurant.
Burke, who usually spends her time on the computer, or waiting for her husband to come home to help her, believed her quality of life would improve dramatically if she had a trained dog. Last year, Burke did some research and found the East Coast Assisted Dogs Company in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. But when Burke called this past spring, she learned the cost of buying a dog, $6,500, and had to put the idea on hold. "I thought I'd wait until my condition got worse," Burke said. "But soon, I couldn't wait anymore."
Disheartened, Burke wondered how she'd ever get that kind of money together. She spoke with friends about her dilemma. Then she went to the De Caf, a popular coffee bar on Merrick Avenue in Merrick. "I started talking about buying the dog to everyone, but when I talked to Linda at the De Caf, she told me I had to fun-raise the money."
Linda Labriola, De Caf's owner/manager, and Burke met three years ago when Burke started coming regularly with family to the caf. Labriola said she often collected donations for different causes, and when Burke told her about her problem last winter, she wanted to help.
Labriola offered her caf for a fund-raiser, and Burke got to work. She handled the publicity, contacting magazines and local newspapers like the Herald to get the word out. She also worked hard to gather raffle prizes that would make the event a success. "I wrote letters and went to the stores and restaurants," said Burke. "I went to places I go to and places I've never been to before." The community wanted to help. And Burke received donations from the Bellmore Lions Club, the Town of Hempstead and Kiwanis Club.
At Burke's fund-raiser in August, titled "A Friend in Need," there was an assortment of raffle prizes, which included a mountain bike, DVD/VCR and many gift certificates. Labriola said she had enough food for an army, and the community couldn't have been more generous. The afternoon, which ended up being a big party attended by many, included a grand prize for Burke at its conclusion. Having raised enough money to buy her canine companion, she's now set to make the trip to Dobbs Ferry in December. "To make this big a difference and see people come together was great," Labriola said. "The outpouring of love was just amazing."
