A caring community!

Dear Editor,

I am so lucky to live in such a giving, caring community and county – Heck, lucky to live in the U.S.A.! When I took on the challenge to put on the benefit for Nicholas Wilding, I was wondering how I was going to be able to pull it off as I live paycheck to paycheck. By no means do we have much to spare but somehow I was determined to get this huge task done. 

There were many bumps in the road along the way but for every bump, we had miracles. Miracles don’t have to be large – small miracles happen every day and most are unable to notice them. Doing this benefit opened my eyes to all the many small miracles that happen daily. 

Our benefit preparedness started out slowly, making me wonder how I could ever make it a success. It brought me lots of stress and tears. But, the day my friend Val and I were out trying to get donations of benefit supplies and raffle items, I received one of the best phone messages I’ve ever gotten. 

A family had just had a benefit for their loved one, and read the story about Nicholas in the Owego Pennysaver that was written by JoAnn Walter. They had a lot leftover benefit supplies through donations they had received, and after a family discussion to pass it forward I received that miraculous phone message from them! They say when you do good it comes back to you ten fold. 

Our benefit committee had decided at our very first meeting that if we had excess / leftovers we would donate / pay it forward. I think God was listening and in thought pointed this other family to us! No matter what theory you have on this, I call it our first big miracle to lift our spirits, and put that fire in our bellies! 

With a lot of postings and pounding the pavement, lots of gas being put in the tank to travel place to place, many hands came forward to lend a hand and donate. Everything from food and supplies for our spaghetti dinner to over 100 raffle items – baskets, items, gift certificates and cards! We got almost daily small and large miracles of help. 

Being the holiday weekend after Thanksgiving, a lot of people were out of town or unable to commit to us, so fear kept creeping in. I reached out to the great band, Lithium Highway, thinking I’d never hear back from them. Wow, another wonderful miracle! Lithium Highway responded and was set to play at the benefit within a half hour! Even though they were already playing both Friday and Saturday nights – bless them for agreeing to take time out for the benefit. 

By the next day, we had two bands! Empty Illusions would be the opening band, ages 16, 17, 18 and 13! We were so blessed to have them as well as DJ Bryce Harding to play and help Nicholas surprise his wife, Christina, with a special song which brought her to tears. I also had DJ Bryce Harding play a song for Nicholas and Christina – more tears! 

We also had a surprise guest arrive at the benefit – Senator Fred Akshar stopped by! Many special people came and helped make it a very special day for Nicholas but I think Fred Akshar made top of the list for Nicholas. Thank you to Senator Fred Akshar for taking the time from your busy schedule to stop by. 

We had another special visitor stop by, our own Tioga County District Attorney, Kirk Martin. Thank you Kirk! We are so blessed that both Fred and Kirk stopped by. We appreciate that! 

Lois Barden from the Candor Fire Department Auxiliary was my contact person for the use of the fire hall and Lois went above and beyond for us. She was amazing! Lois donated, pitched in, and helped us in very department. She took many pictures of us crazy people. Lois has Lobo Photography. 

We had so many helpers and donors, from merchants and businesses to family and friends, and just so many caring people. I thank each and every one of you who helped us make it special for Nicholas! 

I’m afraid I’d forget or miss somebody, so just a huge hug and thank you to everybody who had a hand in any way helping make the benefit happen and be so successful! 

I must, however, thank one individual personally. Thank you to my better half, Scott Babcock. Scott didn’t have to take part in my adventure but he jumped right in feet first, from helping me get donations to setting up and being our spaghetti cook. Great job Honey, I love and thank you so much! 

And, Joyce helped Scott out in the kitchen also. Nicole Hubbard – you came to see your son play drums in the band and you rolled up your sleeves and helped us serve after asking me if I needed any help. I’m sure you’ll never ask me again if I need help! All the rest of servers were great too – Christina even served! Thank you to all the servers. 

I knew there was to be another benefit for Ryan Ford at the Candor Fire Hall on Dec. 10, 2016. Sabrina Swansbrough and her mom, Denise Liske, are heading this benefit up. So they were my chosen ones to get our excess supplies – yes we paid it forward to the Ryan Ford Benefit! They truly deserved it, as both Sabrina and Denise not only donated towards our dinner – they helped me get the awarded raffles out. I pray they have as many blessings of miracles, big and small, towards the Ryan Ford Benefit they are heading up. 

From all of us from the Nicholas Wilding Benefit – Thank you for making it a huge success. You are all wonderful superstars! God Bless each and every one of you! 

We love you Nicholas Wilding, and remember, “Cancer fears you!” Keep the faith, fight the fight, and beat Cancer’s butt!

Sincerely,

Julie Cornell

Candor, N.Y.