To the Editor:

I want to first thank The Washington Daily News for their interview and for featuring this story on the front page April 18. The publicity we received helped in part to make this event (tornado fundraiser) such a huge success.

Many people were involved in organizing this prosperous event on such short notice. The main people that made Tornado Relief come to fruition were Don Cox, Robert Lilley (High Tech Repair) and Keyzer Catering. Don Cox placed an idea for a fundraiser for the families that had sustained damages from the tornado on Facebook on Wednesday, two days after the tornado. Immediately there was an outpouring of people volunteering to help. Robert Lilley and his cousin Ronald Lilley immediately started making contacts for food donations; cases of chickens as well as numerous pigs were donated for the BBQ. Robert Lilley offered the use of his automotive shop to host the event and even went so far as to shut down for three days and paid his staff to make the necessary preparations. Mark Keyzer, owner of Keyzer Catering, was contacted and offered to donate and prepare all the remaining fixings for the dinner. The first hour of the benefit, over 300 plates were sold and droves of people continued to arrive. Approximately 500 to 600 people were served during the day and by the end of the night, nearly 800 plates had been sold. Mark Keyzer had prepared for 600 but with the Keyzer catering main hub being close by, they were able to prepare for the multitude of people that showed up and supported the cause.

The entertainers were as equally receptive to contributing. Those that provided music included: Nashville recording artist Don Cox, gospel group Double Portion, David Lee Jones and Keith Manning delivered karaoke to the delight of those in attendance. Fast talking auctioneer Jody Howery’s efforts raised several thousand dollars as donated items were auctioned off to the highest bidders. Tammy Equils, Debbie Bagley, Libby Sawyer, Sharon Howery and Lori Repess all contributed long hours to securing donated items and to the event itself. The morning started off with a yard sale beginning at 7:00am. Rebecca Pickens and her daughter welcomed shoppers and her daughter provided the face paintings for the children and adults alike. Oran Benson and Jeannie Neal were placed in charge of collecting money for the event. Local volunteers included: Pam O’Neal, Kathy Neal, Tina Jones, Vicky Armstrong, Ben Lloyd, Mark Keyzer, Mike Ahearn, Billy Neal, Ronald Lilley, Mildred Bowman and many more. By the end of the night approximately $25,000 had been raised.

Belhaven may be a small community, but when disaster strikes there is always an outpouring of love and those volunteering their time and resources to help. It was echoed numerous times during the course of the event, that you never know when this may be me or one of my family members. Luke 10:27 sums it up by saying: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Thanks again to the Washington Daily News for their coverage of this event.

Sincerely,

Samantha Selby