Red Hawk Elementary held a spaghetti dinner fundraiser during conferences in March for a family dealing with cancer. Tyler Tanis, a sixth grade student at Red Hawk was diagnosed earlier in the school year with bone cancer in his right femur. Although at first Tyler thought he would lose his leg and learn to walk with a prosthesis replacement, the doctors at Henry Ford Hospital just outside of Detroit were able to remove Tyler’s femur bone and replace it with a steel rod.

(From left back row) Jacob Nelson, Madison Misner, Anne Kostus, Eileen Nelson, and Tyler Tanis in the wheelchair.

Recently, Tyler developed an infection in the incision and had to return to Detroit. His family has had to make many trips across the state, so Anne Kostus, principal at RH wanted to hold a fundraiser to help the family with all of the extra expenses involved.

Volunteers from the staff and community came together for two evenings of serving dinners to busy families coming for conferences. They could dine in the cafeteria or bring home take-out for later. The meal consisted of spaghetti and meat sauce, salad, garlic bread, and decorated cakes donated by Family Fare.

Once the ad for the event was published in the Post’s Home Town Happenings, a local division of the Modern Woodmen of America stepped forward to offer a matching $500 grant. The hungry crowds gave rise to the occasion. Families gave above and beyond, surpassing the matching grant and raising over $2,100. With the grant, the grand total was $2,623.80. Although Tyler was still recuperating from surgery when the fundraisers were held, he was able to visit his teacher, Mrs. Daily, and her classroom last week. Junior members of Modern Woodmen had bussed tables at the dinner and were on hand with Mrs. Kostus to present the funds to Tyler during his visit.

“This money will really come in handy, because our van is in the shop getting repairs done,” Tyler’s mother, Mandy Tanis stated. She was very grateful for all of the community support.