Benefit to be held this week for Pat Shucraft

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
“She is just such a kind person that goes out of her way for others,” said Shawn Smith, one of the many organizers of the benefit and auction for Pat Shucraft. 
Smith along with several other women from the Church on the Hill have come together over the past month to organize the Feb. 13 benefit, which starts at 6 p.m. at the Weston County Events Center at the Weston County Fairgrounds. 
Funds raised help Shucraft in her battle with breast cancer, which has spread to her lymph nodes. According to Smith, Shucraft is undergoing both chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat the cancer. 
“She is trying to work through it all, even when she has had bad reactions. I don’t think she should be working,” Smith said. “She needs this benefit money to help with the bills and gas money to her appointments. Maybe this will help her be able to take a day off work when she isn’t feel well.” 
Both Smith and co-organizer Amanda Bench said that they organized the fundraiser because Shucraft is the type of person who deserves to have help in her time of need. 
“She is just so selfless. She does all the food at the church, the accounting and always goes out of her way for others,” Bench said. 
Smith echoed Bench’s sentiments, saying that Shucraft can always be found either at work or at the church helping in some way. 
“We want to ease her burden. She is going to need to be able to take time off and rest. She is already feeling guilty about the whole event, although she is very grateful for everything everyone has already done,” Bench said. 
The benefit and auction will feature a Mexican buffet followed by an auction for all ages. The cost of the buffet dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. 
According to Smith, the meal will feature both chicken and beef tacos, fajitas, rice, beans, chips and all the fixings. 
“We have lots of things for the auction donated by different people throughout the community. We also have items for the kids, so they have the opportunity to participate,” Bench said. 
“Pat is like the ultimate encourager Even going through what she is going through, she always takes the time to give a hug or words of encouragement, and it is all genuine. She is a very authentic person and deserves the community’s help,” said Casey Cunningham. 
In addition to the benefit, Thursday evening will feature a Valentine’s open house at Skull Creek Boutique, where owner Emily Hartinger has promised that 20% of all proceeds from sales that evening will be donated to Shucraft. 
“She is a client of ours (Skull Creek Studio) and has always been a big part of the community,” Hartinger said. 
The event at Skull Creek Boutique will feature sales and other specials from 4 to 6 p.m.
“We are hoping to get people in shopping before the benefit, and if people show up to shop and don’t know about the benefit and auction, we can send them that way,” Hartinger said. “We wanted to make sure we didn’t conflict with the benefit.”