Benefit for Houston family raises more than $50K

Donations continue to pour in for ailing Hugo couple
by Joseph Friedrichs
Staff Writer
Published:
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 9:11 AM CST
HUGO — A benefit held to help raise funds for Mark and Michelle Houston’s ever increasing medical bills brought in more than $50,000, nearly double what event organizers were expecting.

“It was an amazing outpouring from the community,” said Tonya Lindquist, Michelle’s sister who helped organize the benefit. “All the people who came out to help, and everyone who continues to offer support, it’s just amazing.”

Approximately 700 people attended the benefit for the Houston family held at the Hugo American Legion, Lindquist said. In addition, nearly 100 people volunteered to work at the event, which included a spaghetti dinner, raffles, auctions and music.

Lindquist said bad weather on the day of the benefit had organizers concerned about the number of people who would attend. However, more than 650 meals were served and the money raised far exceeded what was expected. Included in the fundraising efforts were handmade scarves from 12-year-old Amanda Sexson, a seventh grader at Mahtomedi Middle School. Sexson collected nearly $2,400 from selling her scarves, all of which she gave to the Houston family. And the donations keep coming in, Lindquist said.

“There were some people who wanted to come, but couldn’t make it because of the weather,” she said. “But a lot of them have made contributions during the past week or so.”

Between the benefit and other contributions, the Houston family has been given more than $70,000 that will be used to cover medical expenses. In August of 2006, Mark learned he had mantel cell lymphoma (MCL), a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In November 2006, Michelle learned she had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. The Houstons have two children, Chris, 14, who is a freshman at Mahtomedi High School, and Nicole, 12, a seventh grader at Mahtomedi Middle School.

“The family has really been through a lot the past couple of years,” Lindquist said. “And to have the success we did at this benefit was so incredible for everyone.”

Monetary donations can continue to be made at any US Bank location or mailed to US Bank, attention: Houston Benefit Fund, 4700 Clark Ave., White Bear Lake. Visit www.houstonbenefit.org to donate online.

Joseph Friedrichs can be reached at whitebearnews @presspubs.com or at 651-407-1218.