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McKay Twins Benefit a huge success

Saturday, January 24, 2015 - Posted 10:48:44 PM
Cars were parked several blocks away from the Minonk Fire House as a huge crowd attended the McKay Twins Benefit Dinner Saturday night at the fire house.   Over 950 people attended the spaghetti dinner in which the food was donated by Mona's and Capponi's restaurants, and Windsor Foods in Toluca.

The main event of the evening was the auctioning off of donated items including several oak tables from Whitacre's Furniture of Hudson, IL. and a used car from a local resident. The generosity of the bidders was incredible as bidders, after buying an item, would turn it back in to be bid on again.  A Keystone Light beer cooler that was worth probably $100 was bid on 6 times, each time bringing in a winning bid from $500 on up to $2500.  The last bidder won the bid at $500 and then donated another $1000 in order to end the bidding on the cooler.  All told, the beer cooler brought in over $8000.

Many other auctioned items received the same treatment being bought and then turned back in again to be bid on again.  Even the winner of the $2500 draw down ticket turned the winnings back over to the McKay family.  The winning bidders were not just from Minonk but were from surrounding communities such as Streator, Bloomington, El Paso, Benson, etc.   

John and Kimberly McKay, parents of the twin boys Alex and Bryce, who are receiving treatment at St. Judes for a brain tumor, gave their thanks to the large crowd for their support.  In a tearful voice, Kimberly read a poem of their experiences to a spell bound crowd that moistened the eyes of many.  It was a moment when everyone in attendance could understand the terrible toll on the family who has endured such a burden.

The proceeds from the benefit are to go into a trust fund for the twin boys to help with medical costs  that are not covered by insurance.  The two young boys were in attendance briefly at the benefit and will be returning to St. Jude's next week in Memphis to continue their treatment.

The entire community pitched in to help run the benefit.  The Minonk Fire Department ran the event in the fire house and set up the tables some of which were provided by the Dana and Toluca Fire Departments.  The Dana Fire Department ran the draw down while the Toluca Fire Department ran the gun raffle and John Lauf of Wenona was the auctioneer.  The Fieldcrest teachers ran the silent auction, the St. Jude's Runners served the drinks, Shmoe's Bar and Restaurant served the food and the Knights of Columbus handled the carry-outs.

It was a magnificent display of support and empathy from the entire community and those who participated in the event are to be commended.



The McKay family from the from left is Ella, Alex and Bryce and in the back are parents John and Kimberly.



A large crowd attended the benefit in the Minonk Fire House.



In addition to the spaghetti dinner, there were plenty of desserts provided.



This was the Keystone Light beer cooler that brought in over $8000 being bid on 6 times.