Overwhelming support show for Sarah Trafelet at NHS dinner

Larry Shaffer, music director from the Onaway Area Community Schools, took a moment during Wednesday’s annual Christmas Program to remind members of the audience of a donation box that most of them would pass when they left the high school gym. Shaffer encouraged support of the bands, because the program doesn’t fundraise, and would hope the music would speak for itself.

Then, in a surprise announcement, Shaffer said all of the donations from the evening would go to the family of Sarah Trafelet, a student of the school district fighting cancer, who also is a member of the band. It seemed appropriate that the donation box was wrapped like a Christmas present with a slit on the top for people to put money in. The contents now will be a gift to the Trafelet family, who have gone through a lot since learning Sarah had cancer 14 months ago. It’s just another way that the residents of the area have stepped up to take care of one of their own.

Earlier in the evening, members of the National Honor Society sponsored a dinner at the St. Paul Hall to raise money for the Trafelets and the Toys for Kids Program. According to Penny James, Trafelet’s teacher, more than 500 people turned out. “THIS IS GREAT,” said David Trafelet, father of the stricken girl. “This community is always willing to give 110 percent. Next month it’ll be somebody else, and the people will be there.” The dinner of meatballs and chicken spearheaded by the NHS, which wanted to show its support for the community around the holidays, was set in motion by James.

James commended the effort of the high school students and all the work they put in to make the night a success. She said 300 pounds of chicken were cleaned and 200 pounds of large Posen potatoes were peeled. When the suggestion was made to make instant potatoes, James preferred homemade. Not only do people prefer homemade potatoes, but she was able to use her secret recipe. James spoke of the kind spirit of people, telling the story of an Ocqueoc woman who made a donation and asked if someone could deliver a meal to her. That was arranged. Another woman from Indian River read about Sarah in The Outlook and donated $50.

NHS PRESIDENT Megan Waldie, who was busy taking used plates and cups from tables and serving beverages, was pleased with the response of the community. “I think it’s wonderful,” said Waldie. David and his wife Robin have made many trips to Detroit for treatment and tests. The couple’s son has ceberal palsy. He said Sarah wan

ted to be at the dinner but had an appointment. David said the cancer has been “killed” and is in remission, but there are two full treatments left. The cancer was found after the Trafelets took Sarah in for treatment of a toothache. It was on a weekend in October 2003. The pain was so severe her parents took her to a hospital emergency room for medication A lump, which was thought to be a cyst, was discovered on the roof of her mouth. It was later found to be one of the fastest growing cancers in the country. THE TREATMENT started soon after. “She’s a tough kid,” said David.

Photos of Sarah in her hospital room on a small table tore at the heartstrings of the people. “Those weren’t even some of the bad ones,” said David of the pictures. David said it’ll be a much more enjoyable Christmas this season and Sarah was “more excited about buying gifts than getting them.” Much of the food and desserts were donated from local businesses and members of the community, Waldie said. James also said church officials, who usually rent the hall for between $400 to $800, donated the use of the building for the event as well.