State of the Heart Hospice Benefit Raises $1,655 for Local Girl

Ryan Gathard, Fund Development Director for State of the Heart, is shown at left giving a food order to Greenville High School Principal Ken Neff.

State of the Heart Hospice raised $1,655 to help with medical expenses for Greenville teenager Corynna Strawser at a “Drive-Thru Lunch” fund raiser held Friday, September 28 in the agency’s parking lot on North Broadway. Corynna is the daughter of Sean and Kristi Strawser. Kristi is a former State of the Heart nurse. Corynna suffers from an incurable gastrointestinal illness which has led to major medical expenses for the family.

“We greatly appreciate everyone’s support of the fundraiser,” stated Ryan Gathard, Fund Development Director for State of the Heart. “The Strawser family deeply appreciates the donation as well as the great community support shown for Corynna.” Nearly 300 meals were served during the noon-time drive-thru.

Gathard pointed out that several local businesses provided items: Buchy Foods donated the hamburgers and brats; Subway of Greenville contributed condiments, and Miami Valley Vending provided potato chips. “We appreciate the support from these businesses,” Gathard added.

“Our volunteers and staff stepped forward and baked cookies and cooked and served at the fund raiser,” Gathard said. “All in all, it was a rewarding effort and we all of us who were involved were glad to help the family intheir time of need.”

State of the Heart Hospice, with offices in Greenville, Coldwater and Portland, cares for patients and families in eastern Indiana and western Ohio who are confronting a life limiting illness. For more information about the agency, visit the web site at www.stateoftheheartcare.org.