Strong Support for Gower Family

Fundraiser events raise more than $16k

Kenzie Thompson with Avenue Nutrition presents Megan Brushwood with a donation in support of the late Donna Livingston and her family. Phot and Article by Jim Bonebrake | The Leader

Gower again showed the strength of a small community by coming to the aid of the family of the late Donna Livingston

On Saturday, April 17, members of the Gower community held a benefit dinner, raising more than $16,000 at the Gower Fire Station. There were over 600 meals served in a drive-in style operation. More than 150 pounds of pork butts were smoked in 24 hours, and when that ran out, volunteers pulled together and began grilling hamburgers so more meals could be provided for those wishing to participate.

Others in the community also held fundraising events. BulldogLand had shirts printed up showing their support. Simple Simon’s Pizza, RBI’s, Subway, and Avenue Nutrition all either raised donations or provided money to purchase the food items necessary to make the dinner a huge success. Simple Simon’s had a donation jar and the owner, Matthew Graf, matched the jar’s total, bringing the amount raised to $1,022. Avenue Nutrition sold “Donna’s Tea” for one entire week, raising $725.

Simple Simon’s and RBI’s each donated $500 for the benefit dinner. Simple Simon’s provided gloves for the food handlers to wear. Subway provided two platters of cookies. The Gower Baptist Church and Gower Christian Church provided all the desserts. Simple Simon’s put flyers on their boxes and Hy-Klas put fliers in all the sacks to inform citizens of the events.

​Megan Brushwood, president of the Gower Area Chamber of Commerce, said this was a total community affair. She credited Tammy Davidson with helping organize the event, as well as doing the shopping for all the food. John Hessen and other firefighters stayed all day keeping the fire station bay floors clean. Coach Ryan Horn and members of the East Buchanan High School girls volleyball team served the dinners. Bill Lyons, Jason Brushwood, and Derek Allen started smoking the pork butts on Friday and went through the night.