PIPESTEM, WV (WOAY) – The Pipestem Ruritan Club building is hosting a community-wide fundraiser this Saturday.
On June 29, a house fire destroyed the home of a Pipestem couple. The community is rallying together to support them with an event this weekend.
“One of our dear friends and neighbors, Howard Lemon, and his friend, Ms. Cassidy Smith, lost their home due to fire,” said Pipestem Ruritan Club former Secretary Bonnie Young. “Immediately, when we as the community, neighbors all around him heard about it, we began to put our heads together to see what we could do as a hands-on to help him. We came up with the idea of doing a nice spaghetti dinner maybe as a fundraiser to help him.”
The event is built around dinner, which will include salad, bread, dessert and a drink. Costs are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 10 and under.
“The community has really come to life to do this,” said Ruritan club member Aaron Goins. “One thing I wanted to mention that we’ve had two other benefit dinners for neighbors here. And we’re all in. Over $2,000 we’ve raised from this.”
It means a lot to Young and Goins to have support for Lemon and Smith. They cherish Pipestem for how the people maintain a sense of community and togetherness.
“America was founded on group, family, love, sharing and caring about our neighbors,” Young said. “Here in Pipestem, we honor that golden rule. We also believe in loving ourselves, but loving our neighbors more.”
The event takes place this Saturday from 1-5 pm at the Ruritan Club Building.