General News: Fundraiser Brings Sweet Results
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| Devin talks to friends during the pancake breakfast. |
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| Devin's friends who served the 550 plates of pancakes. |
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| People of all ages came to enjoy the breakfast. |
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| People lined up to get to the breakfast. |
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| Flipping pancakes to meet the growing demand. |
February 14, 2011
By Ross Miller
They came because they cared. They ate because they were hungry. And they helped raise nearly $6,300 to support Devin and her family in their time of need.
Five hundred and fifty plates of pancakes, sausage, and bacon, together with gallons of syrup, juices, coffee, and other baked goods, were served at Sunday morning’s fundraiser at St. Thomas of Canterbury School in support of Devin Dineen. Devin was diagnosed in December with leukemia and undergoes weekly chemotherapy treatments.
Raffles Add to Success
Over 30 moms, dads, and friends of Devin’s volunteered to prepare and serve the delicious breakfast , according to Paula Argenio, one of the event’s coordinators. In addition to receiving in-kind donations of food and supplies for the event, Deb Dulaney, one of the coordinators and leader of Devin’s Girl Scout troop 459, said they secured additional donations of over $600 in gift cards from area businesses. The organizers prepared several gift bags containing multiple gift cards and sold raffle tickets , letting each ticket-buyer select the gift bag he or she was most interested in winning. There was also a 50/50 drawing that paid $450 to the lucky winner. These raffles together brought in nearly $2,000 of the overall total.
Expressions of Thanks
Michael and Jeannemarie Dineen, Devin’s parents, were overwhelmed by the turnout. They expressed their profound gratitude to Devin’s friends and the community for contributing to her medical care, acknowledging that Sunday mornings are often reserved as days of rest for many people. Ms. Dulaney also thanked the many businesses that contributed to the cause. She was deeply gratified by the numbers of people who came to the event, having initially estimated the turnout would be around 300.
Rev. Bernard Heter, pastor of St. Thomas parish, said that he and the parish were happy to provide the space and the opportunity for this fundraiser. “I’m very pleased to see so many people—parishioners and others—reaching out to the Dineen family in its great need, and I’m thankful to God that so many can serve and bring hope and comfort to Devin,” he said. Rev. Dennis Dinan, Parochial Vicar of St. Thomas, praised the great effort all were making, remarking that “it shows the spirit that we’re made of, and it’s the spirit we should have.”
Contributions from Area Businesses
Those businesses that gave in-kind donations of food and supplies include: 2 Alices, Cornwall Farms, Highland Falls Market, Hudson Street Café, Jones Farm, Leo’s, McDonald’s, Prima Pizza, Royal Food, St. Thomas Church, The River Bank, and Village Pizza.
Businesses that provided gift cards for the gift bag raffle included: Anthony’s Deli, Brid’s Closet, Caring Hands Massage, Clearwater’s, Coach Dines, Cornwall Wine and Spirits, Creative Gifts and More, Gift Works, Julian’s Auto, Leo’s, Main Street Cutters, Mama Teresa’s, Merritt Florist, Prima Pizza, SKAT, Split Endz, Swatdee Thai Restaurant, The River Grill, and Thomas Edwards Wellness.
All photos by Ross Miller.
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