Fundraiser to aid Ringgold fourth-grader with lymphoma

A spaghetti dinner event for Liam Haney will take place March 22 at Black Diamond VFW.

The Ringgold School District is rallying behind Liam Haney, a fourth-grade student at Ringgold Elementary School South who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma.

After an emergency room visit, Liam and his family received the worst kind of news this past weekend. Tabitha Talbott, a friend of Liam’s family, said once they learned of the diagnosis, she and some of their other friends immediately started hitting the ground running to help the Haney family.

Talbott said she knows Liam’s parents, Kelsey and Connor Haney, after her son and Liam played on the same baseball team. Talbott noted that a group of “baseball moms” has come together to help Liam.

“They’re (Haney family) the type of people who would give you the shirt off their back,” Talbott said. “She (Kelsey) jumps in and helps with all kinds of charity events. They are the kind of people who would do that for anybody, so it’s our turn to return the favor to them.”

To help Liam, family and friends are planning a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at Black Diamond VFW in Monongahela from 1 to 6 p.m. March 22. The event will take place at Black Diamond VFW, located at 793 East Main St.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. They can be purchased online at https://TeamLiam-22.betterworld. org/events/pasta-purpose- liam. Takeout dinners will also be available.

During the dinner, they will have a basket raffle auction, for which they’re still accepting donations. Anyone interested in donating toward the dinner or auction can reach Talbott at tabitha.talbott@gmail.com.

Talbott added that donations for the Haney family can be made on their ticket website for those who can’t make it to the spaghetti dinner. A Go-FundMe page is also available at www.gofundme.com/f/ support-liams-brave-recovery- journey. Talbott said Liam is a big fan of hunting and frequently goes out with his dad and grandfather to hunt. Liam has been part of multiple baseball teams, including at Ringgold School District, Donora Youth Baseball, Mon Valley Smoke Baseball and now at All American Baseball.

Talbott shared that Liam’s teammates have been going through a tough time after learning about what happened, but they’ve been showing incredible support. Teachers and friends have stepped in to help, and students at Ringgold Elementary are coming together to write 100 cards for Liam while he’s in the hospital.

“We’re all rallying behind them, so we’re working with the coaches and even his teachers at school to put together videos and writing cards,” Talbott said.

To get the word out about Liam, Talbott said they have started a hashtag campaign called “#WEarentStriking-Out.” “Let’s just stand up and show support for this little guy and let him know that the community is here,” Talbott said. “The money should be the least of their worries, and so we want to help ease that

burden any way we can.

“This event is an opportunity for friends, neighbors, teammates and community members to come together and show Liam that he has a whole team cheering him on.”