Benefit brings over $25,000 to Blok family

Even though tickets sold out for Saturday’s Blok Family benefit fundraising dance , the community’s generosity didn’t stop with ticket sales.

The evening featured a live and silent auction, and by the time those were finished, more than $25,000 was raised to help Jessica (Beckstead) Blok and her family as she battles stage four rhabdomyosarcoma cancer. Jessica recently married Dustin Blok and the young couple have a baby daughter Autumn.

The Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club organized and hosted the event at Matilda Hall, January 10. Eddy and the Stingrays provided the entertainment, free of charge to allow all proceeds to go the family.

“Let’s help make a difference,” was our motto as we approached this event,” said Henry Swank, president of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions. “And, I think we did.”

Swank was ecstatic to announce the fundraising tally Monday morning. “I’m just damn proud of everyone,” he said. “Not just the Lions, but the family and friends and the community who supported this. This was a real unified effort.”

“What made it even more special was the family being there,” said Swank. 

“We’re just really appreciative of everything everyone has done for us,” said Dustin. 

“We need to say thanks to everyone. To everyone who donated, to the Lions and Tony (Hall) and family and friends thanks so much,” said Jessica.

The $25,000 tally only takes into account funds raised at Saturday’s benefit. At a recent regional meeting of area Lions Clubs, Swank made an appeal to all the area clubs to contribute to the Blok family, so even more money will be raised for this family.

Shortly after the print deadline, members of the Lions club updated the fundraising total for the event to over $31,000.