Sheldon, Iowa — One of the best things about living here in small-town northwest Iowa is the way people take care of each other, and go out of their way to help those who need it, something you’d be hard-pressed to find in most larger cities. An example of that caring and helping attitude was on display earlier this week.
Monday evening a benefit was held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon for Braelynn Tracy, the daughter of John and Jacinda Tracy. Due to complications during pregnancy, Braelynn was born at 24-weeks weighing just 11 ounces, and was just 9-3/4 inches long. Needless to say, little Braelynn has a long road ahead of her in the NICU at Sanford Sioux Falls, and her parents, John and Jacinda are facing countless trips to Sioux Falls to be with their daughter as much as possible. Monday’s benefit meal was designed to raise money to assist with the baby’s medical expenses, as well as her parent’s travel expenses.
According to Jacinda Tracy’s aunt, Juanita Rodger, the community was very generous with helping out for the benefit! She says when they started planning they put out a google doc on Facebook with 189 items on it including beans, buns, lemonade, cheese, and desserts. She says in 2 1/2 days that was completely filled in!
Rodger says the day of the event they served 550 meals at the church, had 24 meals go out with deliveries and 78 meals went out with to-go orders!! Rodger says she wants to thank all the people who donated, grilled, served, and attended Monday night’s fundraiser dinner, as well as to all the Sheldon businesses that donated, all combining to make Monday’s event a huge success!!
