By The Paper staff
NORTH MANCHESTER — The North Manchester Congregational Christian Church will host a baked potato/taco bar lunch benefit for the Josh & Melissa Leffel family to offset costs related to their son’s upcoming medical expenses.
The lunch will be held on June 11 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the church located at 310 N. Walnut Street.
Josh and Melissa are parents to three “normal” children, Marcus age 15, Alexis age 11 and Max age 6. The family is very close and love being together. Josh works at Micro Machine in Warsaw and Melissa is a stay-at-home mom. They enjoy the same normal things everyone else does and the kids get into the same normal scrapes that other kids do, the only difference is that Marcus and Max both have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a terminal neuromuscular disease. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. It is one of nine types of muscular dystrophy.
The constant doctor bills, along with things the boys need that aren’t consider medically necessary puts a strain on the out-of-pocket costs the for the family. Currently Marcus needs additions to his wheelchair to better enable him to participate in school and other activities and Max is in need of surgery to better prevent respiratory illness that puts a strain on his body and causes him to miss a great deal of school. Out-of-pocket costs for these items total just over $3,000, money the family does not have.
The family pulls together to do what they can to make life the best they can. Simple things take on new meaning and every day they are together is a blessing. Once members of the Congregational Christian Church heard their story, there was only one thing to do – pitch in and help them out. Funds for the medical costs will need to be received by July 1 in order for the family to order the wheelchair and schedule the surgery before fall start of school.
The Heavenly Hillbilly’s, a committee of the Mission Ministry is sponsoring the event and inviting the community to join them for lunch on June 11 between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Baked Potatoes with all the toppings and a Taco Bar will be offered along with desserts and beverage with all proceeds going to the family. Proceeds from a Bake Sale will also go to the benefit. Donations may be received by the Congregational Christian Church Benevolence Fund for the family. Contact the church at 982-2882 for more information.