‘Rays of Light Gala’ Fundraiser slated for Mason’s Light House is Nov. 18 at Riverside Casino and Golf Resort

​      Mason Sieck is all smiles as he wears his turnout gear and fire helmet while sitting in a fire truck after being named an honorary member of the Grinnell Fire Department in 2021. His dad, Curtis, holds a sign noting the honor. Mason passed away on March 22, 2021 from complications of Gardner Syndrome. A fundraiser gala to purchase land in Iowa City is being held on Nov. 18. Plans are to build a pediatric respite care and hospice house for children, the first of its kind in the State of Iowa.  

​By J.O. Parker
 
     “Rays of Light Gala” in honor of the late Mason Sieck, a 7-year-old Grinnell boy, who had an infectious smile, a love for God and was an honorary member of the Grinnell Fire Department, is slated for Nov. 18 at the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort.
       The casino is located at 3184 IA 22, Riverside, Iowa.
       The event is being held to raise money to purchase land in Iowa City to build a pediatric respite care and hospice home for children in Mason’s honor.
       It will be named Mason’s Light House.
      Mason’s Light House Board in connection with Mason’s parents, Curtis and Shanna Sieck, are organizing and hosting the event.
      Once constructed, Mason’s Light House will be the first of its kind pediatric respite care and hospice house for children in the State of Iowa. This will be the fourth home of its kind in the United States that is pediatric respite care and hospice centered.
    Mason, who was known as “Mighty Mason,” died on March 22, 2021 from complications of Gardner Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that caused noncancerous and cancerous growths known as desmoid tumors to develop throughout his body.
       He was a first grader at Fairview Elementary School in Grinnell at the time of his death. 
     He was known for going on fire calls with his dad, Curtis, and grandfather, Scott Sieck, and had his own turnout gear with boots and a fire helmet with his name on it and personal identification number, 500.
     “He always had a smile, no matter how much pain he was in,” said Shanna in an earlier article. “He loved music and loved his POA (Ponies of America) horse and farm playset.”
      The fundraiser event will include appetizers, a meal and dessert. Silent and live auctions are also planned for the evening.
      A cocktail hour gets underway at 6 p.m. with the program getting underway at 7 p.m.
Bill Riley Jr., son of the founder of the Bill Riley Talent Show at the Iowa State Fair, will serve as the emcee of the event.
     The guest speaker will be Katie Lindenfelser, Founder and Executive Director of Crescent Cove Respite Care and Pediatric Hospice home for children in Minneapolis, Minn.
      Mason spent six days at Crescent Cove before passing away there.
     “With your help, this home will be free of charge to the children and their families that stay here,” said Shanna.
      Single and group tickets for the event can be purchased at masonslighthouse.org. Please purchase tickets before Oct. 15.
     For more information, contact Shanna at [email protected].

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