Even though the rain on Saturday canceled the cruise-in portion of a benefit for the family of Mark Wood, residents, friends, and family poured into the Thurmond Community Center to participate in the benefit.

A hot-dog and bake sale, along with an auction and gospel singing brought dozens of people to the event. Auction items included many homemade desserts, boxes of greens and lettuce, and other donated items.

Attendees were treated to singing by musical groups Covered By the Blood, the Gospel Four and Shades of Grace.

The members of Center Church in Thurmond, friends and family donated their time and the food for the event. Members served hot-dogs with all the trimmings, dessert, chips and drink. Jerry Simmons was the auctioneer for the event. All the proceeds of the event went to Wood's family, wife Penny and three daughters, Josie, 19, Emily, 13, and Sam, 11.

"Mark was diagnosed in 2008 with esophageal cancer which moved quickly to his brain," Penny said. "The doctors gave him 6 months to one year at best, and 14 weeks after his diagnosis, he passed away. He was laid off from work and the cancer disabled him. We did not have any health insurance after his lay off and no life insurance. The medical bills are enormous and everything just snow-balled together."

The community event was thought to have raised several hundred dollars to help the family cope with the outstanding medical bills and their everyday needs, but no exact amount was known at press time.

"I want to thank everyone who helped with the benefit," Penny said. "I can't express how much it means to me and my family to have had and still have the support of our church, friends, community and family. I also want to say that although Mark was only there for two weeks, the staff at the Woltz Hospice House in Dobson were incredibly kind and wonderful to us.

Mark had several types of treatments at Baptist Hospital and stayed there some, and also was treated at Hugh Chatham Memorial, but none of the treatments could stop the cancer once it spread to his brain. He is missed sorely. We have a daughter in college and two at home, and it is a real struggle to pay the medical bills and support our daughters. I am very grateful to the people of the community for their support and contributions."

Organizers of the event were Dare Couch, Emily Johnson, Libby Gold, DeWitt Hall, Preacher Jimmy Gilreath and Center Church in Thurmond.