What started as a small campaign to help a local family in need is gaining momentum.

Dan Kroffat, who is spearheading the event, says people, organizations and businesses have been stepping forward to assist the Mendoza family after word spread of their plight.

Lorilynn Mendoza has undergone four surgeries for brain cancer that has now been declared inoperable. Her husband, Chris has been unable to work much while attending to his wife and two young boys, leaving the family in financial peril.

After reading about their situation on cochranenow.com, Kroffat was so moved, he put together the fundraising event.

  • READ: Rallying community behind a Cochrane family with Feb. 17 event

"They have issues right now to deal with and so when this story got out in the community, I approached several organizations and companies. I've got is that people are more than willing to jump on board and and be a part of the solution and helping this family through their financial challenges."

McDonald's, Home Treasures, local MP Blake Richards, Cochrane Toyota, Cochrane GM, Cochrane Coffee Traders, the Rocky Mountain Rotary Club and Cochrane Activettes are among those who have stepped forward already.

Kroffat says some people who are unable to attend the event have been reaching out to make donations. He recently dropped by the home of a Cochrane resident to accept a $150 donation.

He feels so strongly about this cause that he's making his email address available to connect with people, something he's never done before in his 50 years of charity work.

It's danielsauto@hotmail.com.

"If they'd like to contact me through the e-mail, I'd be happy to drive to their home or business. I don't care how far it is, I'm more than willing to roll up my sleeves and get involved in this the best way I can in supporting this family."

On Feb. 17 from noon to 2 p.m., people are invited to donate $20 for a meal at Giga's Restaurant or $10 for a bubble tea at Bubble Tea Brewers, or both. Both are located in the downtown 4th Ave. strip mall.

All the food costs are being covered by the Rocky Mt. Rotary Club, so 100 per cent of the money raised will be given to the family. All funds will be channeled through the Filipino-Canadian Association of Cochrane Alberta.