OTTAWA — A benefit luncheon for a 3-year-old boy with leukemia will be held this weekend in Ottawa.
The benefit will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Ottawa Fire Station, 850 Agner St. All proceeds from the event will be distributed to the family of Luke Haselman, who was diagnosed with leukemia in March.
With medical bills starting to pile up, Luke’s family and the local community decided to organize a benefit to help with these costs. Along with the cost of surgeries and chemotherapy, the money spent on traveling to Toledo Children’s Hospital has added to the family’s burden.
“Right now, they’re traveling 67 miles one way to the hospital,” said Stan Haselman, Luke’s grandfather, “so the expenses have been astronomical. On top of that, Luke’s mother had to basically quit her job.”
Since his diagnosis, many individuals and organizations have helped the family. The chicken and pork chop meals that will be served at the benefit are being prepared by Ted’s Market in Pandora, and the Ottawa Fire Department opened up their facility for the event.
Sponsoring the benefit is Modern Woodmen of America, which will provide matching funds of up to $2,500. With more than 1,600 tickets sold, Haselman said the benefit has already raised the amount needed for the matching funds.
“It’s been a whole host of people who have come forward, so the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming,” he said. “It’s just been a great help, both financially and emotionally.”
Along with the barbecue dinners, the event will feature a 50/50 drawing and a bake sale. Haselman said the plan is for the 50/50 winners to be announced by Luke, who is home between treatments in Toledo.
A small amount of meal tickets are still available and can be purchased at the Ottawa Fire Station on the day of the event. Haselman recommends arriving early, as the number of tickets are limited.
For details on the benefit, visit facebook.com/teamlukessupporters.
