OXFORD – The “Weekend of Love for Carol” benefit took place on Feb. 12-13 at the Oxford American Legion, and it was a fantastic turnout of community members who showed this vast outpouring of love and support. There were donated baked goods, gift baskets, gift certificates, money donations, and many volunteer hours organizing and working the event. Everyone showed just how much they cared for Carol Loefstedt.
One of the first terrific supporters in getting the word out was Rapid Reproduction who donated printing the posters for the benefit. That helped bring in people who came in droves to the Tim and Tim chicken barbecue Saturday morning, including members of Carol’s family who were very touched. The barbecue opened at 10 a.m. and was sold out by 11:10. People went inside the Legion and were bowled over by 50 huge, beautiful gift baskets sparkling with Valentine’s on cellophane and ribbons for raffle. The baked goods looked like a huge feast on two long tables as well as on top of the bar. Folks bought wonderful goodies by the bagfuls, raffle tickets galore, and lime green Lymphoma Awareness ribbons. Cakes, cookies, breads and more continued to be donated throughout the evening and the Legion was packed to the rafters with well wishers who came to the Saturday night Karaoke.
On Sunday, the volunteers were up and at ‘em to feed the masses for the Legion’s Community Breakfast. The bakery items were down to one big table by then that also had pies and dozens of containers of soup for sale. The big event all were waiting for was the raffle basket drawings and the 50-50 raffle drawing.
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, the raffles were drawn and the basket/gift certificate winners for Carols benefit were (in alphabetical order): Joanie Bradley, Barb Chapman, Nancy Cupola, Patty Dalglish, Michelle Davis, Sammy Diamond, Dave Emerson, Mary El Emerson, Dick Goodwin, Karen Green, Christine Gregoire, Marie Hall, Rebecca Hargrave, Carolyn Hunter, Kathy Kozlowski, Audrey Krygier, Eileen Lewis, Becky Lounsberry, Pat Marks, Lynne Matthews, Mike Mayhood, Kathy McKenzie, Cindy Midendorph, Denise Paul, Nikki Pohli, Harold Race, Emily Roach, Tom Rowe, Connie Rowlison, John Sherman, Cindy Smith, Joan Swertfager, Diane Thorne, Deb Wheeler, Danielle Williamson, Jim Winn, and Mr. and Mrs. Zaya. Some people were so lucky that they won more than one item each. The 50/50 raffle winner was Dawn Wenzel.
