By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Bucyrus community came out in full support for one of their own Saturday as Bucyrus High School was standing room only for the Noah Lear Benefit.
Put together by Sonya Young and Leann Quaintance and ran with the help of friends and family, the Noah Lear Benefit proceeds went to pay for the medical and funeral costs for Lear who had passed away after a tragic accident while playing basketball.
Young and Quaintance explained why they put the event together.
“To help Noah’s family, they needed a lot of help and this was a rough time for them,” Young said.
“And they are family, and family helps family,” Quaintance added.
Lear’s mother Mellissa Griffin, stepfather Tate Griffin, and brother Jacob Bloomfield were thankful for the community’s support in their time of need.
“It is overwhelming, amazing. It just feels really, really good,” Mellissa said. “I mean it really helps, everyone coming together and their support.”
Noah’s mother noted that April was Donate Life Month, and that in Noah’s passing a few more people will be getting second chances in life.
“Noah was an organ and tissue donor,” Griffin said. “With his donation he will be able to help up to 100 people.”
There was a bake sale and spaghetti dinner in the high school cafeteria. Simultaneously in the middle school gymnasium, a raffle for numerous items donated for the benefit was held. Raffle ticket items ranged from sports memorabilia to gift baskets to artwork.
One item was made especially for the event. Dustin Welsh had carved a Brutus Buckeye out of a six-foot chunk of oak tree. Welsh explained that this was his second wood carving.
“This is only the second one I (sic) ever done,” Welsh said. “The first one I did for another benefit for a buddy of mine’s brother.”
Bucyrus High School Principal Mark Burke was very pleased with the turnout to support his former student.
“The turn it out is amazing. It is like the entire (community) is here, it is like the whole town is here,” Burke said. “It is just amazing to see all these come together for this family, and it just warms your heart to see this many people here.”
The event began at 4 p.m. and lasted into the evening with the raffle and silent auction taking place throughout the event. Later in the evening Bucyrus graduate and Nashville recording artist Rob Skaggs performed in the high school gymnasium.