The community of South Charleston will come together to support a grieving family.
A charity dinner and auction will take place in honor of Grady Neff on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Miami View Elementary School from 5 to 7 p.m.
Neff, 8, died in January in what is believed to be an accidental bathtub drowning. He had a seizure, according to a family statement.
Teresa Van Dyne Bobst, one of the fundraiser’s organizers, said there’s been a large outpouring of support for the event.
» MORE COVERAGE: South Charleston community offers comfort after 8-year-old boy’s death
“It feels good to have the community coming together,” she said.
Bobst got the idea for the fundraiser because she knew of the family and that they were in need of help.
“They’re a great family,” she said. “It’s just so sad they’re going through this.”
People who attend the fundraiser and donate will get an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner, Bobst said. Several items also will be auctioned off, including crafts, gift baskets, golf passes, a television and a family pass to the Columbus Zoo.
VIDEO: Urbana woman on vacation witnesses scene outside Florida HS
“There’s a lot of really good stuff we have,” she said.
Organizers anticipate about 500 people will show up, Bobst said, and hope to raise $25,000 for the Neff family. All proceeds will be deposited in the Grady A. Neff Memorial Fund and be used toward paying medical costs, she said. Anyone wanting to donate items or helping with the event is encouraged to go to the event’s Facebook page.
TRENDING STORY : Should Springfield fluoridate its drinking water?
Bobst encourages more people to come to the event and show support for the family, she said, even if they don’t plan on taking part in the auctions.
“Come help support friends and neighbors,” she said. “That’s what small towns do.”