Foursquare Church holds fundraiser for Fannin family

The smell of chili filled the Ritzville Grade School cafeteria on the night of Dec. 15 as people stopped by the cafeteria for the Chili Feed Fundraiser, hosted by the Ritzville Foursquare Church.

All of the proceeds from the event went to the fund drive for eight-year-old Zoey Fannin and her family, who live in Ritzville.

For a donation, folks enjoyed a helping of chili and cornbread. While some people ate their chili at the cafeteria, others took their food in a box to eat at the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague basketball game at Gilson Gym.

Debbie Gering, a member of the Ritzville Foursquare Church, said the church approached the school district about holding the chili feed and thought the grade school would be a good place to hold the event.

Gering said the event raised almost $900, but thought the snow might have contributed to less people coming to the fundraiser.

The chili feed was latest fundraiser coordinated by the church to raise money to help the Fannin family purchase a wheelchair accessible van for Zoey.

In October, the Ritzville Foursquare Church organized a community fund drive with the goal of raising $80,000 to purchase a wheelchair accessible van. The church went to Umpqua Bank and created the account “Funds for Zoey’s Van.”

Amy Galbreath of the Ritzville Foursquare Church said she knew Brandi Fannin, Zoey’s mother, when she worked for her at Best Western Bronco Inn.

At 10 months old, Zoey was diagnosed with Pachygyria, which is a developmental condition caused by the migration of nerve cell in the child’s developing brain and nervous system. The disease causes developmental delays and seizures in children.

Zoey received her first wheelchair when she was 18 months old. She has used a feeding tube since she was two years old. Zoey and her family make weekly trips to Spokane for doctor’s appointments.

As Zoey grows older, it has become more difficult for Brandi to lift her in and out of her wheelchair.

When the church committee came together to decide on a local community project and help a family need, Galbreath said she immediately thought of the Fannins and nominated them.

The church has hosted different events to raise money for the family since October, including holding two paint night fundraisers on Dec. 7 and Dec. 13 at Cow Creek Mercantile.

Lisa Cox, who helped coordinate the event, said the fundraiser was run similar to the sip and paint nights. She noted Karen Cady donated her time as an instructor for the painting portion and over $1,400 was raised.

The Foursquare Church also nominated the Fannins for the Fourth Annual Van Giveaway, which is sponsored by Arrotta’s Automax & RV.

Dede Rawlings created a page on the The Cocoa Exchange website for the church. Residents can visit the church’s store and purchase chocolate, seasoning, barbecue sauce or other items.

All of the proceeds raised from the sale go to the fund drive.

The Foursquare Church is not the only local organization who has raised money for the Fannins.

The Ritzville Stayin’ Alive Youth Group raised money through raking leaves and other yard work with the proceeds going to help the Fannins.

In November, the Ritzville Eagles No. 2739 donated $1,000 to the Umpqua Bank account for Zoey.

The church’s fund drive for the Fannins ends on Dec. 31. Galbreath said the church will take the money that was deposited and meet with the Fannins to determine the use of the funds.

There is still time to donate, either at Umpqua Bank in Ritzville or on a GoFundMe page for the family at http://www.gofundme.com/funds-for-zoeys-van.