By Cris Cawthon
On Wednesday, September 20, a fundraiser for former Centralia youth Jeremiah McClain was held during the weekly WayBack Wednesday function at Laura Leake Park. On September 6, the Centralia youth received a heart transplant. The Fundraiser was hosted by community leaders, Daphane Jones, Shirlena Barnes, Bunny Garrett, Matthew Patrick, Calvin Lawson, Malaya Downey, Christina Johnson, and Marla O’Neal, who organized the fundraiser and wore shirts in support that read, “Your fight is our fight, the beat goes on.”
Jeremiah and his mother, Ashleigh
Jeremiah celebrated his 19th birthday on September 2, and his sister Cassidy said all they wanted for his birthday was a heart so that he could leave the hospital. He had spent eight months in the hospital before receiving a heart transplant.
The community stepped up to support the family by selling food, holding raffles and having a cake walk to raise funds.
Ashleigh, Jeremiah’s mother, expressed her gratitude for the support from her hometown. “Your outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming. Thank you for enduring the fight with us,” Ashleigh said.
If you would like to help this family with expenses, donations can be made to Jeremiah’s mother via CashApp $BlacShyne87.
Pictured above: Event organizers pictured (L to R): Bunny Garrett, Shirlena Barnes, Matthew Patrick, Daphane Jones, and Christina Johnson. Not pictured: Malaya Downey, and Marla O’Neal, Calvin Lawson.
