by Kassie Boyd, news editor
A benefit dinner and Chinese auction dubbed “Pasta with a Purpose” was held on Jan. 20 to support senior Dakota Price and his family. Price, who was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in March of last year, is currently in remission after a tough battle.
The dinner and auction was held at the Saegertown United Methodist Church on the corner of Euclid Avenue and Washington Street from 2-6 p.m. Attendees could buy tickets and bid on items donated by local businesses and community members during dinner. The Chinese auction began at 8 p.m.
Volunteers from the community, including students from Saegertown High School and the Crawford County Career and Technical Center, served pasta, washed dishes, set up table and prepared food. “It helped someone in my community,” said Courtney Hess, a volunteer and junior at Saegertown. “Lots of people came and supported him. It was a massive success.”
Over $25,000 was raised through a combination of donations and tickets. Volunteers served over 700 plates, and eventually had to order Pizza Joes because they ran out of pasta.
The community has rallied behind the Price family several times in the past year. Saegertown High School threw the “Volley for a Cure” match in October to raise money, and the First Baptist Church of Cambridge Springs hosted a blood drive in Price’s honor in May.
Price is set to walk at graduation with the class of 2018.
