Events and Activities : Benefit for Melony Raub Leeper set for June 25

The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter of Tama County is among the latest who’ve donated to help to raise funds for benefit to help a Dysart grandmother live with a crippling disease. Friends of Melony Raub Leeper, of Dysart, have scheduled a June 25 benefit fund-raiser to help purchase an accessible van lift. Leeper, a 1978 graduate of Dysart-Geneseo High School, and Dysart resident, suffers from a neurological disease, SCA-3 (Spinocerebellar Ataxia) that has tragically taken the lives of generations of her family. The fatal disease, damages the body’s nerves, Proceeds from the benefit will help provide for an accessible van lift to support Melony’s medical care. The Melony Raub Leeper benefit will be held Sat., June 25, at the Dysart Community Building, at 418 Main St. in Dysart, Iowa. The event will begin at with a hog roast meal served from 4-7 p.m. Col. Marvin Boldt, of Traer, will conduct a benefit auction, starting at 7:30 p.m. Among the donations already received are children’s toys and games, home décor and furnishings, apparel, jewelry, gift certificates, handcrafted furniture, holiday decorations, gift baskets, pet care items, tools, lawn and garden items, kitchenware, hand-made art and more. Leeper’s classmate and lifelong friend, Bonnie Hach Harrison, of rural Garrison, organized the benefit. The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter of Tama County has pledged support for the event. “Melony is not one to ask for help but since the crippling neurological diseases she has, she needs help,” Harrison said. “That’s why her classmates and friends in the Dysart area are coordinating this benefit, to raise funds for an accessible van lift to help make life easier for her.” The Fox Ridge Boys, Sean Lyons and Ben Boyd, will provide music for the community event open to the public. How you can help Harrison invites area residents to attend the benefit and enjoy an evening of food, fun and auction action to benefit a good cause, to help support Melony’s medical care with an accessible van and a lift to allow her to easily access her home from her scooter. To donate an item for the auction, contact Bonnie Harrison at 319-464-7042 or email chirpsstore@hotmail.com. Donations may also be left at Sassy’s Boutique, at 321 Main St. in Dysart. An account has also been set up at the Security State Bank at 402 Main St. in Dysart for the Melony Raub Leeper benefit. Checks can be made payable to Melony Raub Leeper benefit. For more information, visit the Melony Raub Leeper Benefit Supper & Auction page on Facebook.