Weekend fundraisers net more than $21,000
By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact), Brandy Nance (Contact)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Two Lyon Countians facing serious health problems will have more money to pay for treatments and expenses after fundraising activities held this weekend in Emporia and Allen.
More than $4,600 was raised after a weekend of activities to help Dan Tebbetts, who was to begin radiation treatment this week for bladder cancer that has spread to his stomach.
In north Lyon County, almost $17,000 was raised on behalf of Bob Lowder of Allen, who is recovering after a serious health issue that erupted in March later culminated in heart surgery and amputations of his legs.
Lowder and his wife, Charolette, own the Main Street Pub in Allen; he also works at Harveyville Seed Company.
He underwent emergency heart surgery on March 26, after being hospitalized on March 24. Recently, after an allergic reaction to a blood thinner medication, surgeons amputated portions of both of his legs.
The Tri-Parish United Methodist Church communities of Allen, Admire and Miller held a spaghetti supper on Sunday and raised almost $17,000 between the dinner, mailed-in contributions, a silent auction and chances to win a saddle and saddle pad.
“It is wonderful,” said Janet Bathurst, an organizer of the Bob Lowder Benefit Dinner.
Even with the money raised, it still won’t be enough.
“It’s not going to be enough because of the rehabilitation and they are remodeling their house and getting prosthetics and wheelchairs and none of that is inexpensive,” Bathurst said.
The fundraising will continue with an ongoing raffle for a 47-inch flatscreen TV, also for a suggested $10 per-ticket donation. The drawing for the TV will be on June 20.
Tickets are available at Jim’s Cowboy Shop, Emporia Livestock Sales and East Emporia Veterinary Clinic in Emporia and at Main Street Pub and Grill, Allen Meat Processing and S&A Telephone in Allen, Harveyville Seed Company and Miller Elevator.
A non-tax deductible fund has been set up at ESB Financial. Donations may be sent to: Bob Lowder Benefit Fund, ESB Financial, Attn: Brenda, P.O. Box 807, Emporia KS 66801.
Charolette Lowder’s sister, Keianna Thompson, is running the restaurant while the Lowders are in Topeka. The hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Connie Lewis, who is working on the Tebbetts fundraisers, said supporters were at Bruff’s Bar and Grill Friday evening to sell tickets for a drawing for a 1992 Geo Metro convertible and a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. On Saturday, they sold tickets at Midas Touch tanning salon.
“We just had a really awesome weekend,” Lewis said. “Without the Sertoma train sales, we raised $4,619.25. How great is that? ... We are just so happy with the way the community has stepped up.”
Tickets have sold out for the Metro.
“We only had 1,000 tickets and once they were gone, they were gone,” Lewis said.
Tickets remain available for the Camaro at $20 per ticket or three tickets for $50. Tickets also are available for a concert planned on May 5 at the Granada Theatre.
On Sunday, the group was at Soden’s Grove, where members of Sertoma Club operated its miniature train and donated all of the ride proceeds to the Tebbetts Fund.
The drawing for the Metro will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at D&T Auto Sales, 1806 W. Sixth Ave.
“Dan’s gonna actually draw the winner before he goes to take his radiation treatment,” Lewis said this morning. “He goes today to get the tattoos put on for that. They may give him a dose today.”
Donations for Tebbetts’ treatment may be made to the Dan Tebbetts Medical Fund, in care of CoreFirst Bank & Trust, 701 Merchant St., Emporia KS 66801.
More information on the fundraising may be had by calling Lewis at 342-0826.
Comments
Post a comment
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. Our goal with this feature is to encourage thoughtful discussions about the news stories. Using the comment feature to make random attacks on people is not acceptable. Emporiagazette.com neither endorses nor guarantees the accuracy of any user contribution. Responsibility for what is posted or contributed to this site is the sole responsibility of each user. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
(Requires free registration.)