A WINNING EVENT. Friends of Hull’s Dean Dreishpoon recently held a fundraiser to help his pay his medical expenses while he battles a brain tumor diagnosis. The event at Daddy’s Beach Club included live music and multiple raffles donated by local businesses and residents. [Courtesy photo]
By Darvence Chery
It was just another Sunday in May for Lisa Beck, who works at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, until she got the call from Dawn Dreishpoon about her husband, Dean.
“I went into shock. He was just helping me with my air conditioner three days earlier,” said Beck, longtime friend of the Dreishpoon family.
On May 23, Dean Dreishpoon was diagnosed with a tumor in his brain after being admitted to the hospital due to symptoms similar to a stroke.
From that moment, Beck, along with others in the community, began organizing to raise money to cover the cost of his medical and living expenses.
On June 12, in a fundraiser hosted at Daddy’s Beach Club, more than $6,000 was raised on Dreishpoon’s behalf by the those in attendance.
“He’s fun!” added Beck. “That’s why I wanted a party. He likes to be surrounded by a bunch of people. So many people love that guy.”
The fundraiser featured live music, along with multiple raffles where the proceeds went toward Dreishpoon and his family’s medical bills. Among the many donors to the fundraiser were Hull businesses, including Schooner’s restaurant, The Parrot, and Scoops ice cream parlor. In addition to the fundraiser, a personalized flag as well as a decorated chair were made for Dreishpoon. Although he could not attend due to his condition, Dreishpoon was said to be very touched and couldn’t believe how much support he received, according to Beck.
“He would do anything for anyone, so we had to do this for him and his family,” said Andrea Kennedy, one of the organizers of the fundraiser.
Dean is a long-time resident of Hull and owner of HVAC company Ocean Air. His daughter, Maggie Dreishpoon, created a GoFundMe page in addition to the in-person fundraiser that has raised more than $19,000 toward Dreishpoon’s medical expenses. She indicated that because her father is self-employed, he is unable to work for the foreseeable future while he undergoes treatment.
The link is accessible on Maggie Dreishpoon’s Facebook page and is searchable on GoFundMe.com.
