(La Porte, IN) - Money is being raised to provide a La Porte family with a new wheelchair-accessible van. 

 

The 2004 model used right now by Don, and Diane Varda has close to 300 thousand miles. The Varda's need a newer vehicle for their disabled children in their teens and mid-20’s. Don Varda is a teacher and tennis coach at La Porte High School.

 

Dan Bigg of La Porte is spearing the fundraising drive. Nearly $50,000 has been raised over the past four weeks, and hopes to collect another $10,000 or more before the end of the month to make the purchase.

 

“We’ve had money coming in every day,” Bigg said.

Some of the money raised has come from small and large individual donations and raffles for tickets provided by the Indianapolis Colts. Bigg said people could donate by contacting him at (812) 455-1166 or dbigg1@frontier.com.

 

“They didn’t ask me for help. They’re very good, solid citizens. I asked them if I could help them and they said yes,” Bigg said.