SkeeterStrong Foundation to hold first event Dec. 4

Most people in the Cape Region know Barbara Ann Racine as the events coordinator with Paradise Companies in Long Neck, the person who helps put together many of the company’s events.

But a personal tragedy has led Racine to create another event that is more personal to her heart.

Racine has started the SkeeterStrong Foundation, named for her ex-husband, David “Skeeter” Kereszi, who died in August after suffering from a series of debilitating strokes. 

Racine said her and her family’s ordeal started 18 months ago when Kereszi suffered his first stroke. Additional microstrokes followed, which left Kereszi in a wheelchair, unable to communicate and lacking fine motor functions. 

Racine and her children, David Jr. and Emma, became Kereszi’s primary caregivers for the remainder of his life. Following his death at age 64, Racine felt like she had to do something.

“He was the most giving, caring person,” she said. 

In that spirit, she decided to start the foundation, which is aimed at raising awareness and moral and financial support for patients and caregivers going through a debilitating illness. The foundation will hold its first event from 5 to 9 p.m., Monday, Dec. 4, at Nicola Pizza in Lewes. During that time, Nicola will donate 20% of sales to the foundation.

Racine said the Dec. 4 date holds a special place for her, as it is close to Kereszi’s birthday, Dec. 11. She said Dec. 4 will also feature the launch of the foundation’s website, skeeterstrong.org. Racine said she plans to hold a charity event every quarter and to have pop-up events. One of those events will be a fishing tournament, as Kereszi loved to fish. 

“He was always the most giving man there was, and we want to be able to help those that do not have a voice or support,” Racine said. “We have seen hands on how difficult and sad these facilities can be, and he was extremely lucky to have had such a great support system.”