The Peru Gazette

Christopher Goheens

By John T. Ryan

The haunted house last Saturday at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center raised about $2,000 for the Helping Hearts for Christopher Fund. Christopher Goheens’ grandmother Jane Way said at least 300 people entered the Haunted House. She explained, “What pleased me the most was the cooperation from the entire community. The three churches (The Peru Community Church, St. Augustine’s and the Wilmington Methodist Church) worked together so well.” Christopher Goheens was born with a congenital heart defect and has been hospitalized multiple times since 1974. He is a 4^th grader at Peru Central School.

The haunted house was manned by about 100 volunteers situated throughout the twenty-one rooms and hallways. Even twenty-five players from the SUNY Plattsburgh baseball team joined in and also gave Christopher a ball cap and a sweat shirt. Christopher’s Uncle Shawn and Aunt Heather Agony were primary event organizers. Heather, like her mother Jane, was also overwhelmed by the community’s unity and support. She mentioned the church youth groups, Mrs. Crowningshield’s second grade class, the Peru Lyons Club, the Keeseville Elks Club and the St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus as groups who either directly assisted or contributed funds. She said Mrs. Crowningshield has followed Christopher ever since he was in her second grade class. Heather said, “Mrs. Crowningshield participates in heart walks and has never forgotten him.”

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