Garage Sale Helps Police Officer with Mounting Medical Bills
TYLER - Several pictures, dozens of clothes, and books galore were just some of the items up for grabs at a Saturday garage sale.
All of the proceeds went to help out one family whose whole life revolves around public service.
"We're trying to get money together to benefit a police officer. His son is fighting cancer right now and has been battling it for a while, it's just really bad," Diana Brown, a Tyler police officer, says.
Local police along with several other emergency crews got together to help raise money to help raise money for some of those hefty medical bills the family is having to pay.
The name of the police officer and his son is being kept under-wraps, but we do know that the 22 year-old son was once a football star at Robert E. Lee.
Before his diagnosis, he was actually in the middle of training to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a police officer himself, but that dream is now side-lined until he is healthy again.
Volunteers say the response from the community has been overwhelming.
Shoppers we spoke to say it's the least they could do for the people who protect us each and every day.
"I think that's fantastic, everybody should buy stuff, there should be one person who buys it all," says Margjie Vintges.
I THINK IT WAS A GOOD IDEA,AND I TOO HAVE HAD FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES THAT DID NOT WANT THEIR CONDITION TO BE KNOWN,BUT NEEDED HELP DRASTICALLY.FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS JOINED TOGETHER FOR COOKOUTS,GARAGE SALES,BAKE SALES,CAR WASHES/DETAILS,ETC TO HELP OUT.THANK GOODNESS FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SHARE AND LOVE THESE PEOPLE IN TIME OF NEED...........GREAT JOB.......
GU4U
2 months agoThe family wants some privacy during this hard time. They did not ask for any donations or help. We are all friends and family that came together to do this because we love this family.
If you have ever had a major medical problem then you know that you won't get rich off a yard sale. This doesn't even put a dent in the medical cost.
Dianna
2 months agoWhy does the name matter. When a neighbor is in need it is our moral obligation and our privledge to respond to that need. It just so happens I know this family. And there is not a finer family that would and have help out their neighbor.
Charles F
2 months agoWhy are agents of our local government keeping the beneficiary identities secret? I thought secretive government was bad at any level?
They ask for money as long as we don't look too deeply into things.....
Kenny
2 months agoHi, Kenny.
I am the sister of that young man who's fighting cancer, and the daughter of that police officer.
Throughout my brother's battle with cancer, he had been very secretive about it to both friends and relatives. His reason for being anonymous, is because he doesn't want people to feel sorry for him, and see him as "The Cancer Boy." We assure him everyday that no one sees him as such. He is a wonderful person who wants people to see him for who he is. He'd much rather talk about football and baseball or YOUR life than talk about his cancer: a story that is quite frankly exhausting to repeat many times over. For this reason, he wishes to keep his name a secret. My father was to be anonymous because. . .well. . .they sort of share a not-so-common last name. The fact that my father just happens to be a police officer makes no difference. Correlation does not equal causation.
Needless to say, my brother was quite humbled at the community support that he has received. He's having a bone marrow transplant in Indiana right now. When he heard what was going on in Tyler, he blushed a little. It's nice to hear some good news in such a situation as his.
I, for one, would like to yell his name from the rooftops, if he would let me. I am so proud of what he has been able to endure these past 2 years. It hasn't been easy for any of us.
Much to my own embarrassment, this garage sale was a complete surprise to me!!! I didn't know until the day of.
Having said this, I would like to thank EVERYONE who has helped my brother and his family. Words can not describe the overwhelming feeling of love that we have received during this very difficult time. To all of the public service officers, doctors, a plethora of nurses, friends, family and COMPLETE STRANGERS who have been so loving to this cause: We are forever grateful and indebted to your graciousness. This DOES NOT happen in just any town. You can rest assured that you have inspired our family to become more active in our community and we are looking forward to the day that we can return the favor.
To Kenny:
My email address is kelli0585@yahoo.com. God forbid, but if you or a loved one are EVER in a situation like this, you now have a friend to turn to. . .government conspiracy free ;)
daughter of anonymous "beneficiary"
2 months agoGeez, what's with you people. In your minds there's conspiracy behind every corner. I don't know how you can live your life like this. Are you afraid of your own shadow????? Somebody needs help in a time of need - if you can, give it to them. If you don't want to help - fine too. Hope you never need it.................
deb
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