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Local couple reflects on fundraiser in their name

Collin Smith

— Sherry Bird, a local 43-year-old married mother of three, has known for years that Craig is her home, the home of her family.

She has been involved in the community.

She knows this town.



But on Sunday, she found out she can still be surprised.

After learning Sherry was diagnosed with breast cancer, a coalition of several businesses, churches and residents managed to raise about $7,500 for her and her family at a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Sunday.



Tobi Chacon, Bird’s friend who helped organize the event, said she wasn’t sure the community would rally to the cause like it did.

About 300 people showed up to eat 260 pounds of meat and 500 brownies, with all of the food, materials, advertising and space needed either donated or paid for by someone outside of the Bird family.

“I’ve worked on projects like this before, and sometimes it’s like pushing a wet noodle,” Chacon said. “I just think, when we have a common goal to help someone, people want to help others. Hardship brings people together.”

Sherry and her husband, Joe, 46, said they still don’t know the breadth of who was involved in the campaign.

They said they also don’t know how to give thanks for something so large, so amazing and so moving.

“I would say thank you, of course : but two words seem so small; they don’t seem to communicate the fullness of our appreciation,” Sherry said.

Joe said the experience for him and his wife has been humbling.

“Sherry and I are not used to being on the receiving end,” he said. “It’s a humbling thing, but we’re absolutely appreciative of the community. We feel very blessed. We know where we came from (Kansas City, Mo.), problems like this get lost in the shuffle.

“I have no idea how to thank the community for what they did.”

Joe added he is proud to live here, proud to be around such giving people and proud to have three daughters, all younger than 16, who have met adversity with strength and compassion.

The Bird daughters even insisted on staying late, after their parents had gone home to rest, to help clean up after the dinner was over.

“They’ve just stepped into roles that I find is amazing at their ages,” Joe said. “All three of them are willing to do whatever they need to do. I’m very proud. Very proud.”


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