Family to host benefit for missing boy
The family of a missing boy will host a benefit to raise awareness and money for the 13-year-old. Dylan Redwine went missing on Nov 19th while on a court-ordered visit to his Dad’s Vallecitohome.
Dylan’s mother, Elaine Redwine, and 21-year-old brother, Cory Redwine, shared what life is like at home without the teen.
“When I was younger and he was born, he was always tattling on me. I grew to love him and every day I became appreciative of being a bigger brother. I really took on and loved playing that role, you know, being an older brother,” said Cory.
It’s been 55 days since Cory’s younger brother went missing.
“When they gave us the flier and in big, bold letters it says missing, and Dylan’s picture is right underneath that. That’s when it really sank in that this is real,” said Cory.
Elaine and Cory agreeded, it’s hard to put their feelings about Dylan into words.
“It’s a feeling, as Cory said, that you can never describe. An emptiness, a loneliness, an uncertainty,” said Elaine. “You never want to have to be in our situation. And you know I’ve always sympathized and empathized with every mother, every father, every family that’s gone through this. Now that it’s hitting home, it’s an emotion you can never describe.”
Elaine said life at home will never be the same until Dylan comes home.
“We’re a unit and without him we’re missing a very big piece of us,” said Elaine.
Elaine and Cory said their family will be all together again.
“He’s still alive in my mind. That will never change. I’m always going to be hopeful that I’ll see him again, no matter what and that’s all I really have to hold onto right now,” said Cory.
“I believe in Dylan, I believe in Dylan’s strength, I believe in Dylan’s mind. I believe in Dylan and I believe in all we taught him, I have faith in him,” said Elaine.”I can’t give up on Dylan, I will never give up on Dylan, he’s my baby.”
Cory said the outpouring of support he’s seen brings him hope he will get to hug his brother again.
“It’s amazing from it going from Durango to La Plata County to Colorado to the United States, it’s been unbelievable to watch,” said Cory. “Whether that’s just putting something on Facebook to helping out on search parties to making fliers, it’s unbelievable the support we’ve got from the entire nation.”
The “Dinner for Dylan” Benefit will be hosted at Lewis Palmer High School on Jan. 17. It is open to the public and no pre-registration is necessary. Attendees can pay cash or checks at the door. The cost is $5 per person or $20 per four-person family.
The money raised will go to a reward for information that will lead to Dylan. A family member told KRDO NewsChannel 13 that money could be used to hire a private investigator to continue searching for Dylan if it comes to that.
Dylan Redwine is described as 5 feet tall, 105 pounds, blond hair, blue eyes and fair complexion. He was last seen wearing a black Nike shirt, black basketball nylon shorts, black Jordan tennis shoes and a two-tone blue and white Duke Blue Devils baseball hat.
A tip line has been set up specifically for the search for Dylan Redwine at 970-382-7511.
The Durango La Plata Crime Stoppers also has a cash reward for information leading to Dylan. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 970-247-1112.
Citizens may also call the hotline for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE LOST (1-800-843-5678).
