Posted: 11/20/07
Fund raiser planned
for Brownsville flood victims
By Daniel McGonigle
Argus Managing Editor
The folks in these parts know about helping one another out when a friend or neighbor needs a hand. One need not look any further than the recent flooding to see random acts of kindness being done by complete strangers helping those affected for proof.
And the spirit of cooperation and helping one another continues.
On Saturday, December 1, there will be a benefit held in Brownsville at the Community Center for four families who lost their homes during the August floods to a mudslide.
"Weíre calling it ëThe Brownsville Mudslide Benefit,í" said just one of the many who are organizing the event, Shelly Carlon. "We are asking for help in putting together a successful fundraiser to help these four famililes get back on their feet."
Carlon and many of her neighbors are helping out their collective neighbors, Lynn and Sharon Partington, Julie Twite, Scott Woodard and Joanne Krenzke, and John "Zeke" and Joan Forschler, whose homes were all destroyed by a mud slide during the flood.
"They lost everything," said Carlon. "And we just want to help."
All four families had insurance, some even had flood insurance, but very little was covered.
"The devastation is being considered an ëact of Godí which means the insurance companies donít have to pay," said Carlon. "They have received some help from FEMA, but it is just a drop in the bucket as far as what they need."
The Brownsville Lions are also stepping up and helping to organize the event as is Anna Kelley.
"Myself, a whole bunch of people," said Carlon. "None of us want any credit, there are just a lot of people who want to help."
The fundraiser plans
The fundraiser will begin with a pancake breakfast which will run from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. There will be a rummage and bake sale which will accompany the pancake feed.
There will be games for the kids so those in attendance will be able to take part in all of the many events being organized by the group.
At 3:00 p.m. a hog roast will begin and there will be an open bar from 3:00 p.m. until the event wraps up sometime much later in the evening.
A live auction, being done free of charge by Kevin McCormick, will begin at 4:00 p.m.
Once the auction is done live music will be provided by Rio Knights and Wake up Young respectively.
Tickets are currently being sold for a gun raffle. That will take place at 7:00 p.m.
You can still purchase your tickets by calling Carlon at 507-450-7517
Carlon and the others who are organizing the event are appreciative of the many contributions that have been made to the cause thus far.
"A lot of people have given so willingly," she said. "Weíve had a lot of donations come in."
If youíd like to donate monetarily, you can do so through a fund which has been set up at the Eitzen State Bank, Eitzen.
That address is 108 Iowa Av. Eitzen, 55931 or Eitzen State Bank, Brownsville Mudslide Benefit, 115 N Hwy 44/76, Caledonia, MN, 55921.
Please label it "Brownsville Mudslide Donation."
Carlon noted that auction donations are also still appreciated.
"They should get a hold of me," she said if someone is willing to donate something.
Caledonia Argus
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E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com