Fundraiser dinner for Lydia a huge success
Photo courtesy of Oliver Bushaw.
by Marsha Chartrand
Lydia Bennett is an employee at Frank’s Place, a member of the track team, and was involved in a serious auto vehicle accident in mid-March.
“When we were informed of the accident, we knew we wanted to help the family,” said Denise Collins, owner. “Jimi Collins from Frank’s Place and Coach Emily Tucker from the Village Tap decided we would do a benefit dinner and 100% of donations would go to Lydia and her family.”
They passed out 90 flyers and the businesses in town posted them on their windows. With social media, everyone in town knew about the dinner.
“When we had our first meeting we were going to do 450 dinners. With the outpouring from the community, we upped it to 600 dinners,” said Denise. “We had no idea how many people would show up! In two hours, we sold 700 dinners. Unfortunately, we ran out of food after that. We had to tell the people still in line in the rain that we had no food left. Despite, this they still donated to the benefit.”
The town of Manchester came together to help this family going through a difficult time. Denise added that they are so thankful to everyone who volunteered and donated money and their time to the Bennett family.
“It takes a village to raise a child, and to support that child’s parent.” Each family who attended the benefit, received this thank-you from the Bennett family:
“Thank you for your prayers. These are why Lydia has survived and continues to heal. Please continue these. This is the will of my God, who has plans greater than my understanding, for the outcome.
“Thank you all for all your efforts to support our family through this difficult time. And for the generosity you all have shown us with your notes and calls with words of encouragement. With your time and treasure. And those that have done chores or made meals.
“You ALL have been a tremendous blessing. Our hearts overflow. We are so humbled and overwhelmed by the love you have shown us. Words of thanks don’t seem enough. We love you as well. God bless you and keep you.
Sincerely,
The Bennett Family”
Denise continued, “Words cannot express how thankful we are to all the help and donations we received for Lydia’s Benefit Dinner. THE BENEFIT DINNER was a huge success, selling 700 dinners in two hours.”
The Bennett Family extended their thanks to Emanuel United Church of Christ for hosting the dinner; Dawna and Mike Stockwell for running everything at the church; everyone from The Village Tap for all your help; our employees and family from Frank’s Place; St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Meadowview Farms for donating the rolls; Moveable Feast for donating desserts; Manchester Diner; to all the wonderful volunteers that helped us put on this dinner — we could not have done this without your help; and, of course, to everyone who came to support Lydia and her family by buying dinner and donations.
We thank you ~ Heidi and Emily from the Tap and Jim, Denise, and Jimi from Frank’s Place.
Photo courtesy of Oliver Bushaw.
Photo courtesy of Oliver Bushaw.
Photo courtesy of Oliver Bushaw.
Photo courtesy of Oliver Bushaw.
Photo courtesy of Oliver Bushaw.
Photo courtesy of Oliver Bushaw.
Photo courtesy of Oliver Bushaw.
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