By now, everyone is certainly aware of the tragic situation with the Bly family. Casey has, in the last six years, lost his mother, sister and a brother to cancer. Casey has now undergone the needed bone marrow transplant and is reported to be doing well.

On Saturday morning, March 24, Trinity United Church of Christ, the Thurmont Lions Club and Thrivent Lutheran joined together and held a breakfast at Trinity Church. The support from the Thurmont and surrounding communities was overwhelming. Many people jumped in to sell tickets and offer their support and help. Items of food were donated by Roy Rogers, Jubilee Foods of Emmitsburg, Frederick Produce, Feeser Foods of Harrisburg and Catoctin Mountain Orchard. Trinity Church and Thurmont Lions Club supplied all the necessary items and food. A total of 750 breakfasts were served to persons from the entire Frederick County along with many personal donations. An amount in excess of $13,000 (which is 100% of amount taken in) will be given to help this young man in his fight for his life. What tremendous caring and support from everyone!

With as many people that attended it had to touch every church in the community and people from all walks of life. There have been many complimentary comments made to many of us concerning the fact that Trinity, as well as the Lions Club, is willing to go that "extra mile" in helping our community.

Words cannot possibly express the overwhelming gratitude we at Trinity have for our church family, our community of Thurmont and our neighboring areas.

As a last thought, a BIG THANKS to all who extended themselves in any way to be of help. Time does not always allow a personal thank you, but your efforts are recognized and appreciated — it could not have been done without everyone’s help.

Sincerely, Council of Trinity United Church of Christ and Thurmont Lions Club

Breakfast Fundraiser Raises $13,000

People were lined up through the church and out the door and the Thurmont Lions Club and Trinity United Church of Christ Benefit Breakfast Fundraiser for Casey Bly on March 24, 2007 in Thurmont and over 700 meals were served that morning by many faithful volunteers.

Expenses for the breakfast were absorbed by the Thurmont Lions Club and Trinity United Church of Christ and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans agreed to match funds up to $4,000.

Proceeds from the ticket sales, combined with generous donations, totaled over $9,000. Together with the matching funds, a donation of approximately $13,000 will be provided to the COTA fund for Casey Bly.

Fundraising Efforts for Casey Bly Continue

While recent efforts have generated thousands of dollars to the Campaign for Casey Bly, the fundraising continues as the COTA for Casey B campaign strives to raise approximately $75,000 — the amount estimated to be needed by Casey and his family for the expenses associated with the transplant over the next two years. Other upcoming events to benefit Casey:

• Dippin’ for Casey at Gateway Market and Candyland’s ice cream counter on Saturday, May 6. All proceeds from ice cream sales from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. will be donated to Casey.
• During April, Mealey’s Restaurant, 8 West Main Street, New Market, will donate 10% of their receipts every Tuesday to the Campaign for Casey Bly.
• A bus trip to Atlantic City is planned for May 12. Tickets are $50.00 each, which includes a voucher for $18.00 at the casino. The bus leaves Thurmont at 9:00 a.m. and will return at 10:30 p.m. For more information, contact Kim Moser at kimnjeep95@msn.com.
• A golf tournament is planned for June 22. For more information or to volunteer, contact Tracy Barbour at 301-748-5110 or scruffy1kp@msn.com.

A complete list of upcoming fundraisers and a blog to keep up with Casey’s progress is located at www.cotaforcaseyb.com.

Structural Systems, Inc. Raises over $11,000 for Casey Bly Family

A very unique paintball event by the employees of Structural Systems, Inc., (SSI) of Thurmont, Frederick and Elkton, MD and Culpeper, VA, raised over $11,000 to help SSI employee Patrick Bly’s son Casey. Casey was diagnosed with leukemia last year and is recovering from a recent bone marrow transplant.

What started out as a weight loss bet between two of SSI’s employees turned into a fun-filled fundraiser. Bruce Gordon, SSI owner and Mike Robison, director of design, bet that the person who lost the most amount of weight during a week would get to chase the loser around the pond on SSI’s Thurmont property while shooting a paintball gun.

The event quickly took on a life of its own as employees began to sponsor the "sniper" (employee) of their choice, all vying to join Bruce and Mike in the romp around the pond. On a snowy February afternoon the entire Thurmont facility hiked out to the pond to witness their supervisors and coworkers get blasted by some cold paint. Several SSI departments sold hot food and drink to keep the spectators warm and raise even more money for Casey. After all the fun was over, $11,690.00 was raised!

Bruce Gordon presented the checks to Kim Moser, public relations coordinator for the COTA for Casey fund, at the end of March. COTA, the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, assists patients and their families with fundraising to meet transplant-related expenses. "Look at all of those checks!" Ms. Moser exclaimed when Bruce presented them. "Beth and Pat (Casey’s parents) thank everyone and are overwhelmed by our little towns with big hearts." All of the local communities have pulled together for Casey.

Kim Moser, COTA Public Relations Coordinator, accepts checks from Bruce Gordon, Owner of SSI.