Woman organizes fundraiser for local family in need
By Tracy Ouellette
Editor
A benefit for the Stephanie Hart family is being held on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Lindey’s on Beulah in East Troy. The family friendly event will feature a fishing jamboree, live band, raffles, chili cook-off, kids activities and more.
Stephanie Hart, of East Troy, died Oct. 23, 2013, after an 18-month-long battle with Stage 4 Choriocarcinoma cancer. She was just 36 years old.
According to her family and friends, she maintained a positive attitude and continued to take care of herself and her family throughout the ordeal.
It’s that type of spirit that inspired Jodi Wales, East Troy, to organize a fundraiser for the family. Wales, a cancer survivor and friend of the Hart family said she knew she had to do something to help.
“I can’t imagine losing your mother, losing your wife, and the kids have been home schooled and on top of losing their mother they had to go to a new school … talk about too much to handle in a short amount of time,” she said.
Stephanie was married to her high school sweetheart Joshua, and together they had four sons ranging in age from 5 to 14 years old. Stephanie homeschooled her sons and they’ve had to transition into the School District, which is a big adjustment for them, according to Wales.
Stephanie’s husband Joshua also hurt his back a few years ago, which resulted in him having back surgery during Stephanie’s cancer treatment. Due to the injury, Joshua has been out of work for two years. Between the medical bills from Stephanie’s treatment and Joshua’s back surgery, and Joshua being unable to work, the family is in dire need of financial assistance.
The fundraiser begins with an ice fishing jamboree, sponsored by Healey’s Bait Shop, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be basket raffles, 50/50 raffles, meat raffles, silent auctions, chili cook-off and plenty of food.
Live entertainment with the bands Hoi Poloi, Pauly and the Poor Boys, Depot People, Saddlebrook and David Marshall Band starts at 3 p.m.
Professional walleye fisherman Mark Martin will giving two kids’ seminars, one at 10 a.m. and another at 12:30 p.m. Martin is the 1990 Professional Walleye Trail World Champion. His website is markmartins.net. Registration by calling (262) 363-2396 is required for the seminars.
The kids need to bring warm clothes, as he wants to do a demonstration on the ice. He will also do an ice fishing seminar for anyone who would like to attend at 4:30 p.m.
DJ Gene Covelli, of GNO Productions LLC., will run hula hoop contests for the kids.
Wales, who has planned several fundraisers over the last few years, says she’s grateful for the opportunity to help out any way she can and hopes the community comes out to show its support.
“There’s so much hardship in the world I’m fortunate to be able to help people when they need it.”
For more information, visit fundraiseforcause.com or contact Wales at Jodi@fundraiseforcause.com or (262) 442-2229.
Monetary donations can be made payable to the Stephanie Hart Benefit Fund and those and/or other raffle/auction items can be mailed to: c/o Jodi Wales, W1005 Plum Drive, East Troy, WI 53120.
Monetary donations can also be mailed directly to the Stephanie Hart Benefit Fund (made payable to), c/o Associated Bank (EIN 46-4424589), P.O. Box 871, East Troy, WI 53120.
