Community Outreach Benefit Will Help Local Families in Need

A local tradition that benefits area families in need is right around the corner.

The 12th annual Community Outreach Benefit (COB) in Coopersburg will be held Sunday, July 28 from 1 to 7 p.m. at St. John's U.C.C., 538 E. Thomas St., Coopersburg. 

The benefit raises money for local individuals/families struggling financially due to overwhelming medical bills. 

Since its founding, COB has helped 34 families by raising $420,000. 

The 2013 COB recipients are: 

Jackson Valois-Campbell, a 2-year-old from Lanark, Upper Saucon Township who was born with severe respiratory and heart issues.

Mark Rabenold, a Center Valley man who has been on kidney dialysis and in need of a transplant since 2009.

Shelby Van Vliet, a 13-year-old Hellertown girl who suffers from a rare form of muscular dystrophy and severe scoliosis.

This year's COB block party-style event will include Chinese and live auctions, children's games, food, and hourly live entertainment by the Large Flowerheads, Gesture Without Motion, The New Fellowship Trio, Flyin O'Brien's, (Auctioneer) Greg Somers, Craig Thatcher and Nyke Van Wyk. 

Another highlight will be a MEGA Raffle of $10,000, with a second prize of $1,000. 

To volunteer the day of the event, contact Martha at 610-965-8868 or ormlhelverson@aol.com. For raffle tickets contact Mike Loew at 610-248-7056 or lurf812@yahoo.com.