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"The Benefit Chili Dinner and Auction" to benefit area resident
Sitting at her desk at work, Barb English is missing something.
It is not a stapler or an important document that is creating the void ˜ it is a friend.
A close friend who usually sits next to her has been absent from work since early November.
Instead of work, Ken Hargis, a senior accountant of Pepsi Mid-America, has spent the last few months at home and in the hospital battling colon cancer. He was diagnosed with the illness in June.
Hargis, who lives in West Frankfort with his wife and four children, recently discovered the illness had spread to his liver and lungs.
With the Christmas season approaching, Hargis' friends and co-workers wanted to do something to show support for him. In a collaborative effort, they decided to raise money by sponsoring a benefit dinner and auction for Hargis.
"One thing I know about Ken is that he is a pleasant person," English said. "He is full of life and full of jokes. As a matter of fact, I've never seen him frown."
English, along with family, friends and community members, has decided to sponsor a fundraiser in hopes of providing Hargis and his family a special Christmas.
"The Benefit Chili Dinner and Auction" will take place Tuesday at the Moose Lodge in West Frankfort. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the auction will follow at 7 p.m.
Bobbi Matuszak, a resident of Carbondale and acquaintance of Hargis for nearly two years, said she is doing whatever she can to help.
"Ken is a father, a husband and a respected member of the community and his church," Matuszak said. "There is not a person that knows him who doesn't adore him."
Matuszak said along with family and friends, local businesses have donated to the event. Long Branch Café, 710 Book Store, The Book Worm bookstore and Allied Physicians and Rehab have donated certificates and services to the event's auction.
The proceeds made from the auction will be donated to Hargis and his family.
English said Hargis continued to come to work until early November. She said he would only come in for a couple of hours a day a few times a week but still made the effort despite his illness.
English said because his medications affected his ability to drive, his wife Tracy drove him to and from work each day.
Attempting to hold back her tears, English shared the most recent memory of Hargis.
Every Christmas holiday, English and her friends put out a large plastic jar, which she referred to as the "angel tree," to collect money for needy children within the community.
"This year we decided in addition to our regular angel tree to have another for one for Ken," English said.
In addition to normal expenses, Hargis is faced with the high cost of medical bills. English said he has been living with no income since November. With the Christmas season approaching, money is tighter than usual.
On Hargis' last day of work, he stopped in front of the angel tree before leaving the office. English said he dug into his pockets and pulled out money to donate.
"He had no idea it was for him," English said. "I could never say enough about the sweet, sweet man."
The event will take place at Moose Lodge, which is located at 327 E. Main St. in West Frankfort. A $3 donation is requested of attendants.
