Benefit for Boy, 9, Diagnosed Twice with Cancer Draws more than 900
By: Lynn Adler
Updated: March 25, 2012
TYRONE, BLAIR COUNTY - Sunday dinners are a time to gather round the table with family.
In Tyrone Sunday, the family dinner fed more than 900.
There were gallons of sauce, trays of treats, and plenty of people ready to eat.
"Unbelievable I can't believe that this many people are turning out for this," Donna Nearhoof says.
Nearhoof is the grandmother of 9-year-old, Adam Fink.
The dinner was in support of him.
Fink is battling not his first, but his second bout with cancer.
"Adam is remarkable and he's always been," Nearhoof says.
The Tyrone boy was first diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma two years ago.
"It's harder to deal with emotionally than it is financially, really." Nearhoof adds.
So to help the family with some of the enormous medical costs, the Tyrone community came together Sunday at the Tyrone Area High School for a lasagna benefit.
"We just thought this would be a great fundraiser to take care of one of our local kids," says Northern Blair Kiwanis Club President, Bill Abbott.
The Kiwanis Club usually serves up about 300 dinners for their annual scholarship fundraising meal.
This year, after deciding to use the event to benefit the Fink family, more than 900 are expected to attend.
"That tells what this community is all about," fellow Northern Blair Kiwanis Club member, Norman Huff says. "To know that we can come together to tell the message that when people are in need or need help there is a community that is ready to step in."
In addition to the meal there was also a raffle and silent auction.
The entire benefit is expected to bring in between $10,000 and $15,000.
In Tyrone Sunday, the family dinner fed more than 900.
There were gallons of sauce, trays of treats, and plenty of people ready to eat.
"Unbelievable I can't believe that this many people are turning out for this," Donna Nearhoof says.
Nearhoof is the grandmother of 9-year-old, Adam Fink.
The dinner was in support of him.
Fink is battling not his first, but his second bout with cancer.
"Adam is remarkable and he's always been," Nearhoof says.
The Tyrone boy was first diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma two years ago.
"It's harder to deal with emotionally than it is financially, really." Nearhoof adds.
So to help the family with some of the enormous medical costs, the Tyrone community came together Sunday at the Tyrone Area High School for a lasagna benefit.
"We just thought this would be a great fundraiser to take care of one of our local kids," says Northern Blair Kiwanis Club President, Bill Abbott.
The Kiwanis Club usually serves up about 300 dinners for their annual scholarship fundraising meal.
This year, after deciding to use the event to benefit the Fink family, more than 900 are expected to attend.
"That tells what this community is all about," fellow Northern Blair Kiwanis Club member, Norman Huff says. "To know that we can come together to tell the message that when people are in need or need help there is a community that is ready to step in."
In addition to the meal there was also a raffle and silent auction.
The entire benefit is expected to bring in between $10,000 and $15,000.
