TeWinkle school rallies for teacher’s son

It’ll be 11 years or so before he would attend TeWinkle Middle School, but this fall, Riley Meunier is the Costa Mesa campus’ favorite son.

Riley, the 8-month-old son of computer teacher Amy Meunier, is scheduled to have a bone marrow transplant in January. He already has a donor lined up — his older sister, 2-year-old Sydney, is a perfect match — but the family expects the bills to pile up in the coming months. With his chemotherapy date approaching, the TeWinkle community is banding together to make sure they’re paid.

“It’s the first time we’ve ever come together for anything like this,” said teacher Shelley Lang, who is spearheading the Team Riley project at TeWinkle. “We’re just delighted that anyone wants to help.”

Meunier founded Team Riley in October when she and her family participated in the CHOC Walk for Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Her son suffers from Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, a rare disorder of the immune system that results in low blood platelet count. The group’s website, www.teamriley.org, offers a number of products with the Team Riley logo, including shirts, mugs, tote bags and calendars. Gin Piston, a local rock band, plans to divert part of its proceeds to the Meuniers at its CD release party in December.

Now, Meunier’s colleagues and students are joining the cause as well. On Dec. 2, students, faculty and parents plan to hold a book and bake sale on the TeWinkle campus for Team Riley — and they’re busy seeking donors. Lang, who teaches the school’s publication, leadership and Advancement Via Individual Determination classes, has posted office fliers around campus and sent out hundreds of e-mails to parents.

Between now and Dec. 1, the school will accept books and baked goods in the front office. One member of the community has even volunteered to play Santa Claus at the fundraiser and pose for pictures with children.

PTA President Vicki Snell said she planned to rally other members of her group to donate books to the sale.

“We’re really just coming together to support the teachers, because they support us,” she said.