UNDAMPED SPIRITS
Scheduled benefit for family of Molly Worner goes on despite rain
SOUDERTON » This month, DJ Bob Ralston was set up inside Domino’s Pizza for the Aug. 18 Third Friday Souderton.
“I’m usually down in the middle of the town, but with the rain, we came in here,” he said.
The early evening rain didn’t stop Third Friday, which this month included fundraising to help show support for the family of 12-year-old Molly Worner, who has diffuse instrinsic pontine glioma, an aggressive cancerous tumor at the base of the brain.
Many of the things that were planned to be outside were, instead, moved inside, Souderton-Telford Main Streets Manager Joanne Coppens said in the Main Streets office where some of those activities moved.
Other parts, such as the dunk tank, remained outside, continuing after the rain ended and people returned to the streets.
“I think, despite the rain, people really came out to show their love and support for Molly,” Peggy Kerr, one of the organizers, said.
The fundraising included at least 80 raffle baskets, Coppens said.
A community art project to be given to the Worner family allowed people to put butterflies around a heart to show their support.
Information about Molly’s life since being diagnosed 13 months ago and photos were also displayed.
In answer to a question of how things are going, Molly said she was “good,” but “a little tired.”
Molly was scheduled to begin a new round of radiation Aug. 21, her mother, Catherine Worner, said.
The radiation will not cure the DIPG, but it is hoped that it will relieve some of the symptoms, she said. There is no cure. “It can’t be surgically removed. There’s no medication that can reach it,” Catherine
Worner said.
“At some point very soon, she’ll be home. She’ll be in Heaven,” Catherine Worner said.
Another show of support for the family will be held with the Molly’s Open Mic & Picnic, which will be from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, in Souderton Community Park, Kerr said.
Musical performers will include The Mighty Manatees, Mike Greer and Bob Tomlinson and friends. Local comedian Buddy Harris will host the show. Attendees can bring a picnic basket, with additional food available for purchase from Domino’s Pizza and Downtown Scoop ice cream shop. Admission is $20.
At the Aug. 18 Third Friday, Carol Crabbs and Suzanne McBride, account managers at Something Better, which provides cleaning, de-cluttering and organizing services and which moved to Souderton earlier this year, offered special Third Friday rates and the opportunity to spin a wheel of chance with organizing or cleaning tips given, based on where the wheel stopped. Contributions benefitted the Worners.
Keith Crabbs, Carol’s husband, of We Bring the Fun,
made balloon animals for children in attendance.
The three started taking part in the Third Friday activities the month before and are having fun doing it, he said.
More than 35 businesses or vendors were signed up for the Aug. 18 Third Friday, Coppens said.
“We’re growing every month,” she said. “Every month, we get new vendors, we get more people.”
Kim Horstman was offering people a chance to make flower crowns.
“All of the proceeds go to Molly and her family,” Hortsman said.
“I’ve done this with Peggy at several events. It’s just a nice touch,” Hortsman said.
One of the reasons Kerr invited her for this one, in particular, was because she saw a photo of Molly Worner wearing a flower crown, Hortsman said.
Play It Out, which was having its grand opening weekend on the second floor above Broad Street Grind coffee shop, was showing its escape room during the Third Friday activities, with a portion of that night’s sales going to the fundraiser for the Worman family, said Ann Simpson, co-owner with Wanda Alderfer and Leah O’Leary.