MUSCATINE, Iowa — As the holiday season approaches, a group of local residents are opening their homes and hearts to funding research for juvenile diabetes.

The Holiday Home Tour,  “Hope for a Cure,” scheduled for 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, features eight homes that are decorated for the holidays.

Proceeds from the event will go the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, (JDRF,)  International.

The fundraiser and awareness event is being coordinated by local residents, many whose lives have been touched by juvenile diabetes. Among them are Kim and Brian Seligman, who lost their 17-year-old son  Matthew on Dec. 1, 2004, 11½ years after he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.

The Seligmans honor Matthew’s life by pursuing his dream of a cure.

Kim Seligman serves as the local liaison for JDRF. In 2005 and 2006, JDRF joined the annual Muscatine Watermelon Stampede race, which takes place in August.

“We raised about $20,000 each time,” said Kim.

 Several other people who are helping with the Holiday Home Tour have children who  were diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, including Daphne Donald. Donald and her mother, Dolores Pulliam, invited homeowners to be on the tour list.

Donald’s son, Ian, a 2006 Muscatine High School graduate, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes 5½ years ago. Ian, a student at Muscatine Community College, was also a classmate of Matt Seligman.

Donald said she’s been pleased with the positive feedback she’s received from people as she works on the event. Her friends, Tracy Schroeder and Dee Harding, are coordinating volunteers for the tour.

Mary Alice and Dick Sessler, whose Mulberry Avenue home is on the tour, have a son, John, 26, who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when he was a freshman at MHS. 

Mary Alice said her son lives in Chicago and works as an actor. He is also an admissions counselor for the Frances W. Parker School.

Kim Seligman said the tour is placed between two Muscatine traditions, the downtown Muscatine Holiday Stroll on Friday, Dec. 1, and the Gift of Music Program scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Muscatine Center for the Performing Arts.

“We are hoping for a “win/win” event in getting people excited about the holidays and Muscatine events,” said Kim.

A JDRF Sneaker Campaign will be held during the Holiday Stroll at Carriage House Carpet One in downtown Muscatine. Donors buy a paper sneaker for $1 and sign their name on it. All the proceeds will go to JDRF and the paper sneakers will be displayed in the Carraige House Carpet One window, Seligman  said.

Contact Cynthia Beaudette at 563-263-2331 ext. 323 or cynthia.beaudette@muscatinejournal.com