Raffle and Boston butt sale planned to raise money for medical expenses
A Johnston County community is rallying together to help one of its own.
Community Days for Cecil Dale, or CD 4 CD, is being held this month to help a young volunteer firefighter who was injured last spring while reportedly answering a medical call for Blackman’s Crossroads Fire Department.
Cecil Dale Thornton, 19, was ejected from his truck in a single vehicle wreck on Stone Creek Road at Oak Forest Road south of Four Oaks on May 4, 2020. He continues to have mobility challenges from the crash, and his family is looking for improvement through stem cell therapy.
Cherry Johnson of the McGee’s Crossroads community, who is coordinating the fundraisers, said it looks like Thornton, a 2020 graduate of South Johnston High School, will be heading to the Stem Cell Institute in Panama in June, where he has been accepted as a candidate for treatment.
Success rates are reportedly greater than 80% at the facility, Johnson said in a press release. “Even so, insurance covers none of the costs for the multiple treatment regimens or travel,” she said.
“The Thornton family asked for nothing, but they have granted their permission to hold fundraising events and are actively participating in the work.”
The CD 4 CD Campaign is raising money to fund the medical expenses through various fundraisers, including a cash raffle to be drawn on Feb. 19 and by selling whole-cooked Boston butts on Feb. 27. Campaign organizers also are accepting sponsorship donations, and are looking at upcoming events like selling T-shirts, and a barbecue cookoff and plate sale.
“Since it will take multiple events to raise the goal amount of $150,000 for Thornton’s treatment, the campaign challenges all able community or civic organizations to participate by hosting a fundraising event,” Johnson reported.
Tickets for the $1,000 cash raffle cost $20 each or six for $100. The drawing will be held Feb. 19. For information on where to purchase a ticket, contact Cherry Johnson at candylandfarmergirl@gmail.com or Cecil “Junior” Thornton at cthornton@transmaint.com.
Patrons will pick up their pork from noon to 3 p.m., drive-thru only, on Saturday, Feb. 27, at Blackman’s Crossroads Fire Department, 5813 N.C. Highway 96, Four Oaks.
CD 4 CD organizers are accepting donations from individuals, families and businesses, and although any amount would be appreciated, they have four sponsorship levels available: Platinum, $1,000; Gold, $500; Silver, $250; and Bronze, $100. They said receipts will be provided. To make a donation of any amount, contact Linda Parker (lrparker@gmail.com).
Blackman’s Crossroads Fire Department is selling the tickets for the whole-cooked Boston butts. Tickets for the Feb. 27 event are $25 each. Tickets need to be purchased in advance so that organizers can purchase the pork. Tickets are available from any fire department member or by contacting Junior Thornton (cthornton@transmaint.com) or Linda Parker (lrparker@gmail.com).
For more information on these and upcoming events, contact Cherry Johnson at 919-201-4317 or at the above email address.
“This young volunteer served his community, and it is now our turn to serve him,” Johnson said.
-Dunn Daily Record
