Snow Hill To Hold Benefit Saturday For Local Family

Snow Hill To Hold Benefit Saturday For Local Family
Jake Newcomer is an 11-year-old Snow Hill Middle student. Submitted Photo

SNOW HILL – Members of the Snow Hill business community will host a fundraiser to benefit a local boy battling cancer.

On Saturday, Jan. 5, the community is invited to the Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Department for a “Raise-the-Funds Bash” to benefit Jake Newcomer, an 11-year-old student at Snow Hill Middle School who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

The Daily Brew Coffeehouse owner Lori McAllister said she was inspired to help Newcomer and his family after watching live Facebook videos of a recent Christmas parade held in front of Newcomer’s home.

“I was watching the parade on Facebook and tears were streaming down my face,” she said. “I decided this was something the business community should contribute to.”

McAllister said she quickly sent a message to Snow Hill merchants in a private Facebook group and found that all were eager to help the family.

“Once everyone was made aware of what was happening, people have come out of the woodworks,” she said. “That speaks to the character of our town. We are a close-knit community, and everyone has tried to contribute to this cause.”

McAllister said she and Mirror Salon owner Betsy Brittingham are spearheading the event and have reached out to various entities and organizations for assistance.

For example, the Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Department is providing the venue and cash bar, Snow Hill merchants are providing gifts and services for the event’s silent auction and the Snow Hill Area Chamber of Commerce will provide a sizable donation.

All proceeds from the event will go to Newcomer and his family for travel and medical expenses.

“We are trying to do what we can for this family …,” McAllister said. “Nothing we can do can make his situation easier, but if we can lift some of the financial burden of traveling to and from Johns Hopkins, that’s what we will aim to do.”

The “Raise-the-Funds Bash” will take place Jan. 5 from 5-9 p.m. at the Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

Tickets will be sold for $25 each, and the price of admission will include live entertainment from Triple Vision, food, a cash bar and silent auction.

McAllister said tickets can be purchased at The Daily Brew or Mirror Salon prior to the event, or online through the Facebook event page, “Raise-The-Funds Bash to Benefit Jake Newcomer.” Tickets will also be sold at the door.

“We request that people purchase their tickets beforehand, so we can provide enough food and drink,” she said.

McAllister encouraged anyone to come out and support the cause.

“This could be any of us,” she said. “It takes a village to support one another.”

About The Author: Bethany Hooper

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Bethany Hooper has been with The Dispatch since 2016. She currently covers various general stories. Hooper graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 2012 and the University of Maryland in 2016, where she completed double majors in journalism and economics.