CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Members of the Hermiston community showed their support for Lance Corporal Casey Allison and his family at the Pray for Casey benefit dinner and auction Friday at the Hermiston Conference Center.
In January, Allison lost his right leg below the knee and his left ring and pinky fingers in an explosion in Afghanistan while saving a comrade in arms.
PHOTO BY CLAIRE FRANELL
The Allisons will receive all proceeds from Friday’s dinner and auction, sponsored by Tom Denchel Ford Country and Main Stylin’ Nook. Various items were donated to the silent and live auctions by businesses and individuals around the community, including O So Kleen, Sno Road Winery, Elephant’s Trunk Antiques, Columbia River Bank and Eastern Oregon Telecom as well as several Pendleton businesses.
By the beginning of the event, almost 300 tickets had sold for the fundraiser.
Tom Denchel Ford Vice President and General Manager Tim Buffington welcomed dinner guests prior to the live auction. He met Allison several years ago and considers him family.
“I can’t say enough of the gratitude for your sacrifice and your service,” Buffington said. “You’re an amazing man.”
Friday’s fundraiser took in more than $10,000 for the Allison family.
Allison voiced his deep gratitude for the participants’ generosity.
“It’s amazing,” Allison said. “The whole community has come together for this. Personally, I don’t think they should have done it, but it’s amazing what they’ve done to help my family.”
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