×
×
homepage logo
STORE

Eagles’ fundraiser to benefit teen with leukemia

By Staff | Apr 15, 2015

Katelynn Rich

A Lehigh Acres teenager is hoping to become a cheer leader during the next school year at Riverdale High School, but it depends on how she is feeling as time moves ahead since she has leukemia. She been going to tryouts and hoping she makes the squad. She was a cheerleader for Pop Warner and even has a handsome trophy to prove it.

Katelynn Rich is fighting the disease and with the help of her mother, Bobie Raby-Rich, and a half dozen doctors in Miami, in addition to the support from her family and friends, the 14-year-old eighth grader plans to get well and has a list of accomplishments to finish, she says.

But battling leukemia is costly and her mother says there is no insurance coverage now and the bills have risen to around a quarter of a million dollars and her mom doesn’t know how she’s going to pay them.

Katelynn is her mother’s only child and Katelynn has largely been raised by her mother. Her father, Andrew Rich lives in Buckingham.

Since a lot of people have learned that Katelynn has Stage Two Leukemia, now for 13 months, the Lehigh Acres of Eagles at 607 Williams Ave. In Lehigh, along with the SWFL Lawnmower Pullers club has stepped in to host a big all-day event on Saturday, April 18, beginning shortly after 1 p.m., to help to raise as much money as they can to go toward that huge hospital bill.

MEL TOADVINE Next to the Eagles’ outside logo is Dori Williams who is planning the special fundraiser in Lehigh on Saturday.

The idea to help raise money came from Katelynn’s friend, Joellen Futch, 15. She talked to the SWF Lawnmower Pullers who were planning a competitive event anyway, so they approached the Eagles, properly known as the Lehigh Acres Eagles Nest 3938 and both are planning to make a big day in honor of Katelynn.

Dori Williams, a member and secretary of the The Aerie, another name for the Eagles, said big things are being planned and the community is being invited to help pay hospital and doctors’ bill for this young teenager who is a student this year at Alva Middle School.

“When it’s your child that needs help, you can’t help but want to do everything you can to keep that child alive and to keep hope going.

“I know because I had a son who had heart problems when he was very young and thank God, he is healthy today, but it took the support of everyone to keep me going,” Williams said.

Proceeds from all the food sold at the event will go to a special fund in Katelynn’s name at the First Preferred Bank at 2511 Lee Blvd., in Lehigh, next to the Super Walmart.

The food is being supplied by Marty Thompkins, who is in the construction business in Lehigh.

“He has offered to provide all the food we need for the event, no matter how much,” said Williams. He’s going to provide hamburgers and hot dogs, pulled pork, a cabbage and cheese dish, corn on the cob and more.

The proceeds will go to the fund to help pay for the bills that are piling up for Katelynn’s medical costs.

A week or so after the big event on Saturday, Eagles member Dori Williams said their organization plans to present a check to the family, too, to add to what has been gathered to help pay the medical bills.

Katelynn’s mother must drive her daughter to a hospital in Miami each week so her daughter can undergo having a procedure, not unlike dialysis, when her blood is removed with new blood pumped into her body. In addition to a six-hour drive, including both ways, it takes much time for the procedure to be done.

“That is hard on her, but when it is all over, she is pretty perky again. But maybe the next day, she is more tired.

Her mother said that when she misses school, a teacher comes to the house and her mother also helps her daughter with class work by going virtually online.

Battling Stage 2 Leukemia is not pleasant, but Katelynn is what her mother and friends call “an awesome girl,” and she has a lot of hope.

“And with all the support from friends and family and different churches offering prayer for Katelynn, I think it keeps her going,” her mother said.

Flyers are in different places around Alva and Lehigh promoting the event and they are hoping for a large crowd.

In addition to a lot of activities such as horseshoes, darts, a raffle and other games, the Eagles are planning for a large tent to provide shade to visitors.

Also on hand will be a friend, Amber Flint who will be selling T-shirts with all the proceeds going to Katelynn.

There is no cost for admittance to the fund-raising event.

If visitors want to donate more than what they pay for their food, they may do so at the event and others may also donate to the fund to help this deserving teenager by sending checks or depositing money to the First Preferred Bank next to Walmart. There is an account in Katelynn’s name.

The Lawnmower Pullers start their competition at 5 p.m.

That is at the end of the day of activities that are planned for Katelynn. Hundreds of “lawnmower competitors” are expected to show up, too, many from other areas in Southwest Florida.

Katelynn’s grandparents are long-time Lehigh residents and they plan to be at the big event, too. They are Dean and Tammy Raby of Lehigh Acres. Katelynn is very close to her mother’s brother, her uncle Ketih Raby, and Katelynn says she can’t wait to write him in Georgia and tell him all about the fundraiser.

“We’re just hoping for a big turnout for this teenager because she is such a nice person, such a good friend to so many people and we want the residents of Lehigh to show their goodness by coming to help and maybe adding some extra dollars to some collection jars that will be provided.

“We’re just very excited about this event. To help someone is doing something good and the feelings it will help others will be even greater,” Eagles planner Dori Williams said.

Eagles’ fundraiser to benefit teen with leukemia

By Staff | Apr 15, 2015

Katelynn Rich

A Lehigh Acres teenager is hoping to become a cheer leader during the next school year at Riverdale High School, but it depends on how she is feeling as time moves ahead since she has leukemia. She been going to tryouts and hoping she makes the squad. She was a cheerleader for Pop Warner and even has a handsome trophy to prove it.

Katelynn Rich is fighting the disease and with the help of her mother, Bobie Raby-Rich, and a half dozen doctors in Miami, in addition to the support from her family and friends, the 14-year-old eighth grader plans to get well and has a list of accomplishments to finish, she says.

But battling leukemia is costly and her mother says there is no insurance coverage now and the bills have risen to around a quarter of a million dollars and her mom doesn’t know how she’s going to pay them.

Katelynn is her mother’s only child and Katelynn has largely been raised by her mother. Her father, Andrew Rich lives in Buckingham.

Since a lot of people have learned that Katelynn has Stage Two Leukemia, now for 13 months, the Lehigh Acres of Eagles at 607 Williams Ave. In Lehigh, along with the SWFL Lawnmower Pullers club has stepped in to host a big all-day event on Saturday, April 18, beginning shortly after 1 p.m., to help to raise as much money as they can to go toward that huge hospital bill.

MEL TOADVINE Next to the Eagles’ outside logo is Dori Williams who is planning the special fundraiser in Lehigh on Saturday.

The idea to help raise money came from Katelynn’s friend, Joellen Futch, 15. She talked to the SWF Lawnmower Pullers who were planning a competitive event anyway, so they approached the Eagles, properly known as the Lehigh Acres Eagles Nest 3938 and both are planning to make a big day in honor of Katelynn.

Dori Williams, a member and secretary of the The Aerie, another name for the Eagles, said big things are being planned and the community is being invited to help pay hospital and doctors’ bill for this young teenager who is a student this year at Alva Middle School.

“When it’s your child that needs help, you can’t help but want to do everything you can to keep that child alive and to keep hope going.

“I know because I had a son who had heart problems when he was very young and thank God, he is healthy today, but it took the support of everyone to keep me going,” Williams said.

Proceeds from all the food sold at the event will go to a special fund in Katelynn’s name at the First Preferred Bank at 2511 Lee Blvd., in Lehigh, next to the Super Walmart.

The food is being supplied by Marty Thompkins, who is in the construction business in Lehigh.

“He has offered to provide all the food we need for the event, no matter how much,” said Williams. He’s going to provide hamburgers and hot dogs, pulled pork, a cabbage and cheese dish, corn on the cob and more.

The proceeds will go to the fund to help pay for the bills that are piling up for Katelynn’s medical costs.

A week or so after the big event on Saturday, Eagles member Dori Williams said their organization plans to present a check to the family, too, to add to what has been gathered to help pay the medical bills.

Katelynn’s mother must drive her daughter to a hospital in Miami each week so her daughter can undergo having a procedure, not unlike dialysis, when her blood is removed with new blood pumped into her body. In addition to a six-hour drive, including both ways, it takes much time for the procedure to be done.

“That is hard on her, but when it is all over, she is pretty perky again. But maybe the next day, she is more tired.

Her mother said that when she misses school, a teacher comes to the house and her mother also helps her daughter with class work by going virtually online.

Battling Stage 2 Leukemia is not pleasant, but Katelynn is what her mother and friends call “an awesome girl,” and she has a lot of hope.

“And with all the support from friends and family and different churches offering prayer for Katelynn, I think it keeps her going,” her mother said.

Flyers are in different places around Alva and Lehigh promoting the event and they are hoping for a large crowd.

In addition to a lot of activities such as horseshoes, darts, a raffle and other games, the Eagles are planning for a large tent to provide shade to visitors.

Also on hand will be a friend, Amber Flint who will be selling T-shirts with all the proceeds going to Katelynn.

There is no cost for admittance to the fund-raising event.

If visitors want to donate more than what they pay for their food, they may do so at the event and others may also donate to the fund to help this deserving teenager by sending checks or depositing money to the First Preferred Bank next to Walmart. There is an account in Katelynn’s name.

The Lawnmower Pullers start their competition at 5 p.m.

That is at the end of the day of activities that are planned for Katelynn. Hundreds of “lawnmower competitors” are expected to show up, too, many from other areas in Southwest Florida.

Katelynn’s grandparents are long-time Lehigh residents and they plan to be at the big event, too. They are Dean and Tammy Raby of Lehigh Acres. Katelynn is very close to her mother’s brother, her uncle Ketih Raby, and Katelynn says she can’t wait to write him in Georgia and tell him all about the fundraiser.

“We’re just hoping for a big turnout for this teenager because she is such a nice person, such a good friend to so many people and we want the residents of Lehigh to show their goodness by coming to help and maybe adding some extra dollars to some collection jars that will be provided.

“We’re just very excited about this event. To help someone is doing something good and the feelings it will help others will be even greater,” Eagles planner Dori Williams said.

Eagles’ fundraiser to benefit teen with leukemia

By Staff | Apr 15, 2015

Katelynn Rich

A Lehigh Acres teenager is hoping to become a cheer leader during the next school year at Riverdale High School, but it depends on how she is feeling as time moves ahead since she has leukemia. She been going to tryouts and hoping she makes the squad. She was a cheerleader for Pop Warner and even has a handsome trophy to prove it.

Katelynn Rich is fighting the disease and with the help of her mother, Bobie Raby-Rich, and a half dozen doctors in Miami, in addition to the support from her family and friends, the 14-year-old eighth grader plans to get well and has a list of accomplishments to finish, she says.

But battling leukemia is costly and her mother says there is no insurance coverage now and the bills have risen to around a quarter of a million dollars and her mom doesn’t know how she’s going to pay them.

Katelynn is her mother’s only child and Katelynn has largely been raised by her mother. Her father, Andrew Rich lives in Buckingham.

Since a lot of people have learned that Katelynn has Stage Two Leukemia, now for 13 months, the Lehigh Acres of Eagles at 607 Williams Ave. In Lehigh, along with the SWFL Lawnmower Pullers club has stepped in to host a big all-day event on Saturday, April 18, beginning shortly after 1 p.m., to help to raise as much money as they can to go toward that huge hospital bill.

MEL TOADVINE Next to the Eagles’ outside logo is Dori Williams who is planning the special fundraiser in Lehigh on Saturday.

The idea to help raise money came from Katelynn’s friend, Joellen Futch, 15. She talked to the SWF Lawnmower Pullers who were planning a competitive event anyway, so they approached the Eagles, properly known as the Lehigh Acres Eagles Nest 3938 and both are planning to make a big day in honor of Katelynn.

Dori Williams, a member and secretary of the The Aerie, another name for the Eagles, said big things are being planned and the community is being invited to help pay hospital and doctors’ bill for this young teenager who is a student this year at Alva Middle School.

“When it’s your child that needs help, you can’t help but want to do everything you can to keep that child alive and to keep hope going.

“I know because I had a son who had heart problems when he was very young and thank God, he is healthy today, but it took the support of everyone to keep me going,” Williams said.

Proceeds from all the food sold at the event will go to a special fund in Katelynn’s name at the First Preferred Bank at 2511 Lee Blvd., in Lehigh, next to the Super Walmart.

The food is being supplied by Marty Thompkins, who is in the construction business in Lehigh.

“He has offered to provide all the food we need for the event, no matter how much,” said Williams. He’s going to provide hamburgers and hot dogs, pulled pork, a cabbage and cheese dish, corn on the cob and more.

The proceeds will go to the fund to help pay for the bills that are piling up for Katelynn’s medical costs.

A week or so after the big event on Saturday, Eagles member Dori Williams said their organization plans to present a check to the family, too, to add to what has been gathered to help pay the medical bills.

Katelynn’s mother must drive her daughter to a hospital in Miami each week so her daughter can undergo having a procedure, not unlike dialysis, when her blood is removed with new blood pumped into her body. In addition to a six-hour drive, including both ways, it takes much time for the procedure to be done.

“That is hard on her, but when it is all over, she is pretty perky again. But maybe the next day, she is more tired.

Her mother said that when she misses school, a teacher comes to the house and her mother also helps her daughter with class work by going virtually online.

Battling Stage 2 Leukemia is not pleasant, but Katelynn is what her mother and friends call “an awesome girl,” and she has a lot of hope.

“And with all the support from friends and family and different churches offering prayer for Katelynn, I think it keeps her going,” her mother said.

Flyers are in different places around Alva and Lehigh promoting the event and they are hoping for a large crowd.

In addition to a lot of activities such as horseshoes, darts, a raffle and other games, the Eagles are planning for a large tent to provide shade to visitors.

Also on hand will be a friend, Amber Flint who will be selling T-shirts with all the proceeds going to Katelynn.

There is no cost for admittance to the fund-raising event.

If visitors want to donate more than what they pay for their food, they may do so at the event and others may also donate to the fund to help this deserving teenager by sending checks or depositing money to the First Preferred Bank next to Walmart. There is an account in Katelynn’s name.

The Lawnmower Pullers start their competition at 5 p.m.

That is at the end of the day of activities that are planned for Katelynn. Hundreds of “lawnmower competitors” are expected to show up, too, many from other areas in Southwest Florida.

Katelynn’s grandparents are long-time Lehigh residents and they plan to be at the big event, too. They are Dean and Tammy Raby of Lehigh Acres. Katelynn is very close to her mother’s brother, her uncle Ketih Raby, and Katelynn says she can’t wait to write him in Georgia and tell him all about the fundraiser.

“We’re just hoping for a big turnout for this teenager because she is such a nice person, such a good friend to so many people and we want the residents of Lehigh to show their goodness by coming to help and maybe adding some extra dollars to some collection jars that will be provided.

“We’re just very excited about this event. To help someone is doing something good and the feelings it will help others will be even greater,” Eagles planner Dori Williams said.