Syracuse, NY – Catherine Meeker said she and her son, Joshua, would be grateful for help getting their ransacked Syracuse home made safe again.



But there are other families battling cancer, like they are, who need financial help more than they do, Meeker said this morning. Hours earlier, The Post-Standard wrote about how the Meekers' home was burglarized while Joshua was in the hospital fighting leukemia, his mother at his side.



Scores of readers called The Post-Standard, posted comments on Syracuse.com or called Joshua's school, J.T. Roberts, asking how they could help. "I am overwhelmed," Meeker said.

Meeker said she was not seeking to raise money or draw pity when she wrote a letter to the newspaper taking the thieves to task.



"I guess I would feel most comfortable if people want to help with the cost of replacing our doors or that kind of thing, we would be grateful," Meeker said. "I guess if they wanted to do that, it would be easiest going through Roberts PTO or something. It seems like a few groups have stepped up and said we'll take donations."



Beyond that, the family has health insurance and homeowners insurance to cover Joshua's medical expenses and the cost of the stolen items, she said.



"The truth is, besides our immediate needs of just making our home safe, there's countless other families whose kids are sick who are in dire financial straits," Meeker said. "We would love donations to be made to Golisano or to the Jonathan Cancer Fund that helps out families."

"Golisano" is Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital, Syracuse's pediatric care and research hospital.



To donate, navigate to www.foundationforupstate.org and click the link at bottom of the page labeled "donate now," said Kathleen Paice, speaking for the hospital. At the top of form designate Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. At the bottom enter Joshua Meeker's name on the tribute line.



The Jonathan Cancer Fund is a Syracuse-based organization that helps families cope with unexpected costs of dealing with childhood cancer and helps with mortgage or utility bills when parents must quit their jobs. It also administers funds raised by families.



Checks can be made out to "Jonathan Cancer Fund" and sent to The Jonathan Cancer Fund Inc., 401 N. Salina St. Suite 300, Syracuse, NY 13203. Put "Joshua Meeker" on the memo line, said Paul Miller, director of public relations and fundraising.

Donations made to the Jonathan Cancer Fund are dedicated to the family that generated them, said P. Keil White, a member of the fund’s board of directors and vice principal at J.T. Roberts, Joshua’s school. The family decides what to do with funds that are left over after its expenses are met, he said.

Roberts officials are working to "coordinate the huge good will the community is showing the family," White said. "It's been overwhelming so far this morning, to be honest with you."



Meanwhile, the school's parent-teacher organization has scheduled a bake sale to benefit the Meekers. It will coincide with the PTO's Book Fair, 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the school, 715 Glenwood Ave., PTO President Susan Boyle said.



"Everyone is just sick over it," Boyle said about the break-in.

The PTO also will accept donations for the Meeker family. Those who wish to can send a check made out to "J.T. Roberts School PTO" – put "Josh Meeker" in the memo – and mail it to Roberts School PTO, 715 Glenwood Ave., Syracuse, NY 13207, Boyle said.



Potential donors who need more information can contact Boyle at 727-5198 or suzqboyle@yahoo.com.

