BELLVILLE — The Bellville Lions Club hosted a special fundraiser over the weekend for Janessa (Fenton) Luzader, who is awaiting a kidney transplant.
The spaghetti dinner was held at the Jefferson Township Bellville Fire Station on Saturday with nearly 75 in attendance. The event brought the community together to help with medical bills but wound up inspiring the family.
Luzader, an art teacher for the Clear Fork elementary schools in Bellville and Butler, taught over 800 students a week during her four years in the district, according to her father, Jeff Fenton. She says her students have been very supportive of her during her illness.
Luzader underwent a kidney transplant in January 2007. After eight years, Luzader says her body built up antibodies and rejected the organ. Since last December, she takes dialysis three times a week and is currently looking for a kidney donor.
While forced to be on sick leave for the past school year, her fellow teachers donated their sick days to help out.
“It’s been a tedious process,” husband Kevin says, describing the financial strain on the family. “We seem to be stuck in a grey area in the system.”
But Janessa Luzader said just knowing the community was coming together on her behalf “takes a lot of stress off of me.”
She is a lifelong Clear Fork Valley resident.
Longtime friend and Bellville Lion’s Club member Andy Brook said he knew the family needed help and wanted his club to host a fundraiser for her. Brook says that he lives with chronic pain but wanted to focus on others who need the help. The Bellville Lions agreed and organized the event.
“I was thrilled when I heard that the community was willing to help me during this time,” Luzader said.
The Luzaders say they were surprised, but very grateful, to know the Lions club was there to help. Because of a weakened immune system, Janessa was unable to attend the dinner.
“I didn’t know much about Lions,” Kevin Luzader said.
So he researched what Lions do and was impressed.
“A lot of people said they would like to help us but to actually put something together, to plan and take the time out of their day to host this, means a lot to us.”
Most people know that Lions collect eye glasses and conduct vision screenings but may not know that they are an international organization providing assistance on a much broader scale. Founded by Melvin Jones in 1917, the organization was challenged by Helen Keller to become the “knights of the blind” during the Lions convention held at Cedar Point in 1925.
Lion’s International focuses on prevention and screenings for sight problems children and adults, disability programs including low vision, diabetes, and hearing projects. Local clubs often conduct a wide variety of projects that directly impact their communities.
The Lions motto is “we serve” and could also be “we care.” The Bellville Lions club expressed those virtues by organizing the fundraiser, but they were not alone as the community came together for the event.
Brook said the club received donations from area businesses, including the V&M Restaurant, Der Dutchman Restaurant, Stoodts Market, and air time through Clear Channel/iHeartmedia.
Brook also wanted to thank club members and the Girl Scouts Troop 2131 and Cub Scouts Pack 173 for their assistance. Club members said they were grateful to the Jefferson Township Bellville Fire Department for the use of their facility to cook and serve the dinner.
An initial statement from the club indicated that over $500 was raised for the Luzaders, after expenses. Donations for Luzader can still be made at the First Knox Bank in Bellville.
