The Lawrence Rollins Foundation

I knew him as Larry Rollins. A cute little boy who lived across the street from me on Forest in Oak Park. At age 10 Larry was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Unfortunately at age 37 he passed away from diabetic complications. He was, and still is, sadly missed.

The youngest of 7 kids, his siblings decided to honor him and formed The Lawrence Rollins Foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to raise funds for diabetic research and to help with services needed by people with diabetes.

Larry has three sisters who work so hard every year making all the food, getting all the donations, working on the decorations doing a 50/50 rafflle .............is there nothing these sisters can't do!! That's their mom Mrs Rollins, Theresa, ( one of my oldest and dearest friends) on the right, Shelly on the left and Mary Ellen in the back.

There are a few wonderful family and friends who make quilts to be raffled off every year. This year their were three, which brought in some extra money.

This event has been going on for 16 years. The Rollins' were trying very hard to make enough money to open a diabetic camp....well reality sunk in and they decided to donate the over $50,000 they made over the last 16 years to the Diabetic Foundation. That money is going to send 17 diabetic kids to camp this summer and buy the camp, much needed, walkie talkies!
And I helped! Their event always takes place around St. Pattys Day. It was called Larry's Heros, but now it is called The Lawrence Rollins Foundation St. Paddy's Day Bash. Everyone is welcome to come. You get great homemade food, listen to some good music, dance, lots of beer and alcohol, win prizes and they have a silent auction. All of this for only $25 per ticket, all going to a worthy cause.

Plus every year I go I get to see how Theresa's grand kids have grown and how her three terrific kids are doing. Always smiles


Well this is the threesome, I know there are four of us, Theresa's sister Mary Ellen had to be in the picture.....Laurie, Theresa and I have known each other since we were about 2......that's Laurie on the left, then me with the hat, then Theresa and on the right Mary Ellen. Love you guys...

Here is Theresa's clan. A motley crew if I do say so. Two of Theresa's grandsons were in the play Grease at Ferndale High School. I heard it went very well.

And to help occupy ones self....some very nice guys joined Laurie and I at our table. After a few beers decided that they could make a napkin fly......

Not to good on the first try....but wait, if we only had more balloons.......

We did it.......let's see what we can float next year guys.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
* frequent urination
* Unusual thirst
* Extreme Hunger
* Unusual Weight Loss
* Extreme Fatigue and Irritability

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
* Any of the Type 1 symptoms
* frequent Infections
* Blurred Vision
* Cuts/Bruises that are slow to heal
* Tingling/numbness in your hand and feet
* Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections

If you have any of these symptoms, please see a doctor.