BY DANI TIETZ
dani@mahometnews.com
October 31st felt a little more like Christmas than Halloween for many Mahomet residents.
When they woke up, rain had saturated the ground. But by the time late morning rolled around, the ground was covered with more than an inch of snow.
The snow may melt by Friday, but the spirit of Christmas will stick around the rural town as several local business owners band together to make sure that four-year-old Addiana Montiel gets the Christmas she deserves before she has to go in for surgery on Nov. 5.
Addiana, who has fought through many health issues since birth, underwent heart surgery in 2018.
That was not the end of her plight, though.
Her upcoming brain surgery is necessary to hopefully do away with the tracheostomy tube she needs to sleep, cure her back and neck issues, prevent seizures and improve her motor skills.
With a long recovery time, the Montiel family will not be able to celebrate the holidays as they normally do.
After a birth that almost claimed her mother’s life, Tiara and Alberto Montiel decided to establish holiday traditions that would carry them through the hard times.
As a child, Tiara loved looking at the area’s best and brightest Christmas lights each year with her family. She wanted to gift that to her daughter and now one-year-old son, too.
Tiara knew that the best place to see all the splendor of the Christmas Wonderland was at Mahomet’s “Clark Griswold’s House” located at 701 Timberview Dr.
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Montiel family has crept by the home, owned by the George Schoonover family, just like many other Mahomet residents and guests from far away have done for more than 40 years.
But because Adianna’s surgery will happen prior to Thanksgiving, the Schoonovers, following up on a request from Cornbelt Fire Department’s Chief John Koller, will light their yard for the first time on Saturday, Nov. 2 as the Montiel family rides in a horse and carriage provided by Merrybeth Farm Carriage Service.
The Cornbelt Fire Department, who also came to Adianna’s birthday party, and the Mahomet Chamber of Commerce will be at Schoonover’s Saturday to collect money from those who are willing to donate.
After Saturday’s event, “The Griswold’s” will turn off the lights until after Thanksgiving.
Los Zarapes, 840 Eastwood Dr., is giving back to the Montiel family on Nov. 2, too. The long-time Mahomet establishment will donate 20-percent of Saturday’s sales from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. to the Montiel family, helping to cover some of their financial burden.
Marie Senn has also connected with the Montiel family to provide another way for the Mahomet community to spread Christmas cheer and give back to the family.
Senn is offering boxes of rhinestone and cutout decorated cards for $30. The Usborne Books Senior Team Member is offering the cards without commission. Half of the cost will go towards covering the cost of the cards (either a box of 30 or 50, depending on the order type) and the other $15 will go to the Montiel family to help alleviate the expenses associated with this surgery and recovery.
Cards can be ordered through this form.
Previously, Mahomet’s Ashley Yancy set up a fundraiser for the Montiel family. The Montiel family has taken a financial hit from doctor’s appointments and surgeries. After the upcoming surgery, the family will be in the hospital for three months to make sure that Adianna is strong enough for a second surgery.
Their young son will not be allowed to stay in the hospital with the family for fear of passing germs. Alberto will continue to work to support the family, just as he did when Tiara was in the hospital after giving birth.
All groups hope that the Mahomet community will continue to rally around the family, filling them with Christmas love as they enter another trying time.
To follow Team Nena’s story, visit the Team Nena Facebook page.
