Benefit Planned To Raise Funds For 9-Year-Old With Heart Condition
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Though Taylor Shepherd, 9, just had her fourth open-heart surgery in April, it's expected she likely will need more by the time she is an adult.
The Mentone Elementary School student was born with a heart condition. She had her first open-heart surgery at 13 days old.
Her mother, Renee Atkins, Etna Green, has a lifetime health policy on Shepherd, but it's about maxed out, said Sandy Grubbs, Atkins' sister.To help with future costs, Grubbs has done two things for her niece. First, she set up the Taylor Shepherd Fund at Lake City Bank to accept donations. Secondly, Grubbs has organized a benefit called "Have a Heart for Taylor."
About $4,000 worth of donations have been given to the benefit as of Thursday.
The benefit is scheduled for June 27 at the Knights of Columbus, 26 W. Bell Drive, Warsaw. It begins at 1 p.m. and will include food, various activities, a live auction and raffles.
Kids activities are scheduled for 1 p.m. An Elvis impersonator -Gordy Clemens - will perform at 1:30 p.m.
At 4 p.m. is the Sexiest Legs Contest, for men only. Schrader's Automotive is providing a $50 gift certificate for the winner.
National recording artists The Bays Family will sing from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Country and Christian music performers, Grubbs reported the artists are writing a song about Shepherd with all the proceeds going to the Taylor Shepherd Fund.
The Bays Family also is providing the food. They will serve tenderloins and deep-fried hot dogs, nachos or French fries, funnel cakes and other items. Twenty-five percent of all proceeds go to the fund.
The live auction begins at 4:30 p.m., with the silent auction results at 5:30 p.m. Karaoke and dance will follow.
More than 80 businesses have donated to the benefit for auction or raffle. Some of the items include four tickets to Wagon Wheel Theatre's production of "High School Musical," a total tune-up from Boggs Automotive; two die-cast model cars autographed by Paul Menard; a month-long membership to Curve; $240 in gift certificates from Hank's Tattoos; three $75 gift certificates from Black Sheep Studio; a couple of pallets of patio stone from Warsaw Masonry; and one four-hour karaoke and DJ party from Grubbs Karaoke/DJ Entertainment.
A dunk tank will be at the benefit the entire time. It was donated by Warsaw Party Rental.
Grubbs said they would like to raise at least $5,000 with the benefit.
Any person or business that wants to donate to the benefit or help may contact Grubbs at 260-352-2967.
Grubbs reported Bobcat, Ind. 15, Warsaw, is donating 3 percent of all their June sales to the Taylor Shepherd Fund. Bobcat also donated one free Bobcat rental for the auction.
Grubbs said ABATE also is planning a benefit ride for Shepherd July 18, and ABATE is looking for a band to play at the benefit.
