The West Liberty community is planning its 20th annual ice cream social that will benefit Alex Griffin, an 8-year-old boy who will be receiving a kidney transplant this fall from his mother.
The 20th annual West Liberty ice cream social, slated for 4 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22, benefits the family of Chuck and Heather Griffin of Cable, whose son, Alex, 8, will receive a kidney transplant this fall from his mother. (PHOTO | GRIFFIN FAMILY)
Fundraising activities take place from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the West Liberty United Methodist Church, 202 W. Newell St., West Liberty.
The event is sponsored by the host church, the West Liberty Church of Christ, Grace Chapel, the West Liberty Lions Club with the addition of Oak Grove Mennonite Church and the West Liberty United Presbyterian Church, and a donation of pies from the West Liberty First Church of God.
The ala carte menu includes chicken and noodles, hot chicken, sloppy joe, hot dog and coney dog sandwiches; baked beans, potato, pasta, apple and Jell-o salads, creamy and sweet and sour slaw, cucumbers and onions, pies, cakes, drinks and homemade ice cream.
Entertainment will be provided by Bill Purk, Bob McPherson and friends.
Alex is a son of Chuck and Heather Griffin of Cable, and has three brothers, Caleb of Findlay, Nick, a freshman at Triad High School, and Joe, Alex’s twin brother, a third-grader at Triad.
Mr. Griffin is a 2002 graduate of West Liberty-Salem High School and is a son of Glenn and Joyce Shoemaker Griffin of Kingscreek. Mrs. Griffin graduated from Ridgemont High School in 2000 and is a daughter of Bill and Beverly Minix of Ridgeway.
Alex and Joe were born at 35 weeks and were taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital immediately after birth. Joe was hospitalized for a week, and Alex was in the hospital for two weeks because of respiratory distress and pneumothorax. He also has congenital heart disease.
At the age of 3, he was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, which has led to the need for a new kidney. At this time, his kidneys are functioning at 17 percent.
During his 8 years, he has been hospitalized 22 times, had four surgeries, 22 rounds of Plasmapherisis, four rounds of chemotherapy, along with several other heart and internal conditions.
Those unable to attend the ice cream social, can help by sending a check to the West Liberty United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 606, West Liberty, and write “benefit” in the memo line. Direct questions to Nancy Dowden at (937) 465-4219.