A member of Oxford American Legion Post 108 and his little boy need your help.
All you have to do is eat some spaghetti and play some euchre.
Robbie Williams, an 8-year-old junior member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 108, is bravely battling Fanconi anemia and aplastic anemia.
Fanconi anemia is an inherited anemia that leads to bone marrow failure also called aplastic anemia, a rare and extremely serious disorder that occurs when for some unknown reason the production of blood cells slows or stops. Aplastic anemia puts him at risk for preleukemia.
Robbie is currently living at a Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati, Ohio. He recently underwent a bone marrow transplant and completed chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
‘He’s doing really, really good,? said Pat Pitel, vice president of Ladies Auxiliary Unit 108, who keeps in touch with Robbie’s dad, Kevin. ‘He’s tolerated everything really well.?
‘He’s a tough little guy,? Pitel noted, adding he’s ‘very into anything military.?
Wearing a little army uniform and helmet, Robbie proudly marched with Post 108 members in Oxford’s Memorial Day parade last year and solemnly participated in the traditional ceremonies at Centennial Park.
‘We’ve all met Robbie. He’s just an adorable kid. He is just so smart.?
Robbie’s dad Kevin, a former Army Reservist and member of Legion Post 108, is staying in a Cincinnati motel a few blocks from the Ronald McDonald House. He visits Robbie daily and exercises with him.
Kevin dropped everything to be with his son during these critical treatments and has been down there since Dec. 5
‘He had to give up his job, his apartment, put all his belongings in storage and move down there,? Pitel said. ‘He says, ‘I’m not leaving until I bring him home.??
Kevin’s only source of income has been donations from Legion Post 108, Ladies Auxiliary Unit 108, AMVETS Post 108 and SAL Squadron 108.
‘He’s got no money, no compensation, nothing, except what we’re giving him,? Pitel said. ‘We’ve covered him maybe for two months worth of lodging and food.?
‘We’re helping Robbie by helping his dad,? Pitel added.
‘Without (the Legion), I wouldn’t have been able to do it,? Kevin said. ‘I don’t even know how to thank them for all this.?
Kevin called Post 108 the ‘most family and community-oriented post? he’s ever seen.
‘They’re what the Legion’s supposed to be.?
Although Kevin still has money left and is ‘stretching it as far as I can,? Post 108 wants to raise more money just in case he needs it.
‘If he’s going to stay down there through March, he’s probably going to need some more money. Plus gas money to get home,? Pitel explained.
That’s why Post 108 is holding a spaghetti dinner and euchre tournament Thursday, Jan. 19 to help raise money for its new ‘Veterans in Distress? fund.
The dinner will be from 5 to 9 p.m. and includes spaghetti, tossed salad and rolls. The cost is $6 (minimum) per adult and $4 (minimum) per child.
A euchre tournament will also be held starting at 7 p.m. A $5 donation gets you in the game with $3 going toward Robbie’s dad/’Veterans in Distress? and $2 for a tournament winner’s pot.
All donations above the minimum costs mentioned above will go to Robbie’s dad/’Veterans in Distress.?
Any money raised over and above what Kevin requires will remain in the ‘Veterans in Distress? fund for future use by others in need. ‘If any other veteran gets into a fix like this, this is going to be the fund that will help them,? Pitel said.
American Legion Post 108 is located at 130 E. Drahner Rd.. For more info call 628-9081.