Allen Countians are coming together to help one of their own. AT THE dinner, a variety of differently themed baskets will be auctioned off, including Halloween, movie night, KU, faith, spa and sports, with Bill Self- and Bill Snyder-signed memorabilia themed baskets.
Friday, a benefit dinner will be held in the commons area of Marmaton Valley to help board clerk Sherry Henry with her upcoming surgery and medical expenses.
Henry, who has been working at Marmaton Valley for 26 years, has been battling various medical issues for roughly 10 years.
She has previously had a kidney transplant and is gearing up for an additional one. Her medical expenses are piling up and after years of watching Henry take care of herself, her friends, students and co-workers decided it was about time to do something.
“We were talking one day about helping Sherry and the superintendent, David Hardage, came in and said ‘you need to get the ball rolling,’ and so we did,” Nancy Houk, who steps in for Sherry when she cannot be at work.
Two days later Pam Tressler, Henry’s beautician called up to Marmaton Valley and wondered if anyone would be interested in doing something for Henry.
“It was like it was God-sent. We knew we had the blessing and that we were supposed to be doing this,” Houk said.
According to Elaine Stewart, Marmaton Valley Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, Henry is not one to want help.
“She is a very independent and private person,” Henry said.
“When we sat her down and told her what we were going to do, she said she was extremely appreciative,” Houk added.
Henry was born and raised in Moran and graduated from Marmaton Valley. She is a single mother with a daughter, Morgan, who is a nursing student at Pittsburg State University.
“Morgan thinks this is great, she is very appreciative,” Henry said. “This has been so, I don’t even know how to put into words how I feel. It is just wonderful how nice people have been.”
Along with a supportive community, Henry is supported by her faith. St. John’s Catholic Church donated an Italian themed basket to be auctioned off at the dinner and gave her a prayer quilt.
Houk and Stewart are expecting more.
Denny Lasley will be smoking all the meat, which has been donated.
The dinner is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for 10 and under.
Benefit dinner to help USD 256 clerk
