Update #55 for Alan’s Army
Although Alan still feels pretty good and continues to have no problems with nausea, he is feeling more tired and we’ve noticed that his appetite is dropping off a little bit too.
For weeks now we have been humbled by the efforts that people have been making to raise money to help Alan. Everyday a note arrives from a family member, friend, disc-golfer, past co-worker, current co-worker, etc. all in support of Alan. Some notes simply say “You don’t know me, but I’d like to help . . .” Simply astounding. Many friends have been selling 10, 20, 30 wristbands and then coming back for more.
A great crew of people got together and put on a benefit dinner and silent auction for Alan on Thursday night. It was really a wonderful evening filled with love and compassion that poured out into everything that went on. It was amazing to see so many friends from so many different paths of our lives. Not only current family and friends, co-workers, church family, disc golf family, etc., but old friends from previous churches, previous workplaces, Boy Scouts, the Montgomery Township School system - Alan’s classmates (2001) AND Ginny and my classmates (1978 for me, Ginny would prefer I didn’t say what year for her so I won’t - but it was the year before me) and teachers both that worked with Ginny’s mom, Bernice and those that taught us. Alan’s Kindergarten teacher was there, Ginny’s First Grade teacher was there. At one point I looked up and noticed that most of the weight team from the Montgomery High School track team was sitting at a table - from Alan’s era mind you – although we were both Captains of the team – in my era I almost WAS the weight team. (And yes Jim – we most definitely will have a weight team reunion and once again instill fear into the hearts of the folks running the China Buffet.) Township dignitaries were there – the Mayor and Deputy Mayor (also Ginny’s boss,) who donated a home-cooked meal for eight to the auction, and many of the township’s farming and political movers and shakers from across the years (Ginny’s father Maitland was mayor back in the 70’s too.)
It was a magical night of renewing friendships and reminiscing about what Alan calls “back in the day” — I just wish Alan could have seen it all. He said it sure SOUNDED like a huge crowd. I’ve attached some photos from the dinner and auction items.
We can’t possibly individually thank everyone who made the evening possible and contributed to raise nearly $20,000 for Alan’s expenses, but I do need to mention some key people. Gina Albright had the idea originally and brought it to Shelley Mathisen at Montgomery Evangelical Free Church and these two Brigadier Generals in Alan’s Army then ran with it.
Shelley worked tirelessly on the dinner arrangements from permission from the church to volunteers to food donations to entertainment. Shelley’s Colonels were Cliff and Debbie Banks who did their usual fantastic job of producing a great meal and they and a brigade of helpers (Thank you all!) served nearly 400 people spaghetti, meatballs, sauce, salad, bread, beverages and dessert. Many, many thanks to everyone who donated the foodstuffs and to those who came out and ate them. We were all entertained by the Pizza Guys who were hysterical, The Adoration ladies who sang beautifully (that’s my wife the lovely Mrs. Sweeton up there with them), and the amazing Debbie Arnesen, accompanied by Mark Hahn on the piano, who makes a violin simply soar into your heart, she plays so beautifully. Thank you all.
Gina slaved over the Silent Auction arranging for an astounding array of items to be auctioned off. Gina’s Colonels were her boyfriend Josh and her cousin Mike who helped her sort, label, and auction off over 70 items that were donated – many thanks - what a wonderful job you did! The items ranged from vacations in Maine and the Jersey Shore, to airplane, glider, and stockcar rides, to theatre tickets and home theater systems, to handmade toy chests, wood bowls, baskets, quilts, pillows and decorations; to baskets and boxes full of all kinds of goodies, to gift cards for spas, gasoline, food, movies, local stores, etc. Many, many thanks to everyone who contributed all of these wonderful items and to those who bid on them.
I need to mention a special detachment of Alan’s Army – The Bake Sale Brigade. This special unit was headed up by friend and co-worker Nancy Raymond and her two daughters Emily and Sami (my god-daughter) Homan. They and a cadre of family and friends baked a huge number of goodies and then ran a bake sale during the evening. Many dinner attendees filled their stomachs with a great dinner at the church and then bought wonderful bake sale yummies to take home (not all of them actually got home.) The girls also sold Alan’s Army wristbands alongside the baked goods and in total raised an astonishing $800+ with their efforts. Many thanks!
And while we are on the subject of special detachments, I need to mention my best friend since fourth grade, and Alan’s god-father - Dan Homan. Not only is Dan the Chaplain of Alan’s Army with his constant spiritual support, he is the sexton at MEFC as well, and I fully suspect that besides a bunch of setup duties, he had his hands full of cleanup, garbage, and tables to be cleaned and stowed after the dinner. As always Dan - thanks for being there for us and Alan.
Many, many thanks to all and God Bless,
Andrew
