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Pack The Place Pink In Honor Of Laura York

Pack the Place Pink in Honor of Laura York

Staff Reporter  /  February 16, 2012  /  Views: 678  /   No Comments

Laura is pictured with her grandchildren, Kyle York, Collin Meese, Autumn Crouch, Anthony Johnson, and Cameron Johnson. Jordon Harris, president of Student Senate, Rick Potts, president of the Oblong Sports Boosters and Rod Sparks, president of the Unit #4 School Board, presented Laura with a plaque for her outstanding work and many years of service with the Oblong Sports Boosters program. photo by JJ Aten

Those who were not able to make it to Pack the Place "Pink" missed an amazing site! Jeri Harris, along with the help of many others, worked together to support Laura York, Sports Booster member, on Friday, February 10, to honor her in her fight against cancer. Laura is a person who will never say no to anyone and is always there to lend a helping hand. Here is the speech that was read in her honor.

"Tonight, we are here to honor a very special lady, Laura York. In 2007 at the Oblong Chamber of Commerce Banquet, an award was given for Community Service. This award recognized Laura as a person who had endeavored to make Oblong a better place to work, live and play. Since that time, Laura has continued to do that for our village, our schools, and especially our kids.

"The Oblong Sports Boosters were started in 1984. Laura was one of the founders of the organization and remains very active today. She has always been the spark plug for this group. Many of you may have received a call from Laura in regard to helping to man the gates at many of the sporting events. And, winning was never a condition for her help. It was always nice to win, but the lessons of fair play, honest effort, hard work, and just being a contributing part of the group were always the most important lessons to be learned. Still today, if a child needs equipment - she makes sure that need is met - and if a child needs a tender heart, a soft shoulder, or simply a listening ear, she provides that as well. With her help, the Sports Boosters have donated more than $300,000 in equipment and financial support for the sports teams.

"There is not a family in Oblong that has not been touched by something that Laura York has had her hand on. Laura has not only demonstrated a willingness to perform service, she has been a leader in community service. When a neighbor needs help, she is among the first to organize other neighbors and friends into a cohesive and efficient army of relief workers. She has helped to organize field hands, harvesters, planters, grain haulers, livestock chore-men and women, food for the workers, and in the case of an extended illness or injury, she is among the first to organize a fund raiser to help out with expenses. And, in doing all of this, she has kept up with her own chores and duties at home.

"Laura is a farm wife, and she has her own family. This year, Laura and her husband, Irvin, will celebrate their 52nd anniversary. They have raised six children - Connie, Cindy, David, Tammy, Jody and Julie and are now raising a great-niece, Destiny. They have 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She keeps the books for the farm, helps with the fieldwork, helps with the livestock, tends to a large garden, and cans and preserves the produce. In the summer, she can been found sitting up town selling the excess out of the back of her truck. According to Jeri, she makes the best bread and butter pickles.

"As we all know, time is such a valuable gift when we share it others. And, time is what Laura has always shared freely. There are church events, sporting events, school events, along with 4-H and the county fair. Whenever her kids were involved, Laura showed them just how much she loved them and how important they were because she spent time with them in their activities. She guided, encouraged, helped and cheered them on. Now she is doing the same things for her grandchildren and Destiny. They all count on Grandma to guide, encourage, help, and cheer them on. Laura continues to squeeze in as many events into her schedule as she can.

"Now, on to the reason we are all wearing PINK!! Laura was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. This was followed by surgery, two rounds of chemo, and numerous radiation treatments. In 2001, Laura was diagnosed with her second bout of breast cancer. This meant another surgery, chemo, and even more radiation. Then once again in 2011, she heard that devastating word - cancer. Laura continues to battle cancer each day with a quiet grace and dignity that inspires us all. We are here tonight to make sure that SHE knows we are with her, and we will continue to fight with her and all those who share in her struggle.

"There are few people who will ever be able to match the gifts this very special lady has given. Her generosity shall not soon be surpassed. She has definitely made Oblong a better place to work, live, and play."

Presenting the award to Laura was Rick Potts, president of the Sports Boosters, Rod Sparks, president of the Oblong School Board, and Jordon Harris, president of the OHS Student Council.

The Plaque read - "This Plaque is Presented with Love and Admiration on this 10th Day of February, 2012, to Laura York on Behalf of ALL Oblong High School Student Athletes Whose Lives She has Enriched With Her Support and Dedication. Thank You Laura!!"

There was so much time and effort put in to this event. Jeri Harris took an opportunity to thank everyone who helped - Karen and Kelsie Harper, Lisa and Kailyn Pinkston, Lisa and Taylor Lockhart, Chelsea Hoalt, Jordon Harris, Ryann Chiddix, Chassey Lingafelter, Angie Woods, Tanner Seitzinger from Bridgeport, both grade and high schools, First Robinson Savings Bank, and Threadz for producing almost 560 PINK PANTHER t-shirts. Collin Meese designed the back of the shirt.

Also, workers at the raffle tables - Brenda and Chassey Lingafelter, Rhonda Musgrave, Katie Whiston, Taylor Harris, Betty Dart, Jodi Littlejohn, Angie Woods, Pat Tracy, Rachel Snider, Mandy Manhart, and Anna Huber.

Donors of raffle items were: Pacific Cycle (Roy Clark) - 26 inch men's bicycle; Harold and Vicky Culbertson - wooden chest; Illini Basketball - Jeri Harris; and Flower by Glass Garden - The Glass Garden.

Baskets and gift certificates were donated by: David, Jill, and Kyle York; Billy, Julie and Wyatt Reece and Autumn Crouch; Cody, Lacey and Emerson Bliss; Jason, Tammy, Anthony, and Cameron Johnson; Nick, Ginger, Sarina, and Miah Voegel; Irvin and Laura York and Destiny Budd; Kody and Sarah Maus; Darrell, Connie and Collin Meese; Maus Well Service - Kevin and Cindy Maus; and Darrell, Jodi and Anden Wallace. The 50/50 winnings were $194. with Logan Hawkings as the winner. The other amount will be donated to the Sports Boosters.

I personally think this should be the first of many Pack the Place Pink events. If you were not able to make it to Pack the Place "Pink," let me tell you, you missed how much a small community can come together for one very special person.

WTHI News Channel 10 and WTWO News Channel 2 were on hand for the evening's events. Dusty Maus posted on their Facebook page and asked them to come see how a small community can come together. As the day progressed, they were hit by many messages asking them to come to Oblong. These are just a few of the comments people wrote to them:

"I think you guys should come to Oblong tonight to see how a small community comes together when one of our own is in need of prayer and support. We are packing the gym with pink! Over 500 shirts! Laura York is a very special lady. She has helped me and hundreds of other people. And, tonight we are going to show her how much she means to the community." Dusty Maus

"Dear friends at WTHI-TV, I'm writing you this message to make you aware of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our little town of 1,300, plus the surrounding towns, are coming together to celebrate one woman's life - "Laura York." Laura is the kindest, sweetest woman I have ever met. A lot of women and men could take lessons from her, on how to be a respected human being. She is now battling cancer, AGAIN...and has other health problems on top of that, as if that's not enough. Laura did have surgery yesterday (2-9-12) on a bulging disk that was pushing on her spine, next to the tumor of cancer on her spine. But, yet told those doctors - "I have to be at Oblong High School tomorrow night. I have a lot of people counting on me" - which, to me is so remarkable. Even in her time of pain and suffering, she is worried about EVERYONE else! I just got word that they just left the hospital to come home. Which is GREAT, but also scary. With surgery yesterday and surgery planned for next week on the tumor, I hope sickness keeps its distance. We at Oblong have sold over 500 pink shirts with this wonderful lady's name on them and plan on packing the place pink tonight. I think it would be truly amazing if you could come by and spread the word on how this awful disease isn't gonna' stop one small town in Illinois. Not just for Laura but also for anyone out there that is/has battled any form of cancer. Thank you for your time," Candy Potts:-) from the small-size town with the BIG Heart!! Candy Potts

"I think you guys should send some people over to cover the Oblong vs. Edwards County game tonight in Oblong. You guys obviously need a good story to make news, and I can't think of one that's any better than the one goin' on here in Oblong tonight. For a small town to do something this big is amazing. Oblong's gym will be "Packed with Pink" not only from the Oblong side but also from the travelers from Edwards County. Over 500 shirts have been sold for tonight's game and that's just for Oblong. Both towns have special ladies that are fighting cancer. So, this is just as important to E.C. as it is to Oblong. Laura York has been such an amazing supporter of Oblong's Sports Boosters, as well as many things in the community. It's time for everyone to support her, now. Before the game, there will be a chili cook-off and raffles and 50/50 drawings during the game. So you people of WTHI-TV need to get down here and cover a real story that people want to see! Plus, you can eat some good chili!" Danielle Smith

This is what brought the news teams to town - the story of a great hardworking, loving, wife, mother, mother in-law, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

As of press time there is not a total of the evening's events. I do know that Laura would like the money to stay locally. See, she is always thinking of someone else! Thank you, Laura, for everything that you have done for our community. You are one SPECIAL LADY!

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