By Kyle Fitzsimmons
Review Staff Intern
Lake Orion resident Tim Bland is marooned in Florida.
With its palm tree-laden streets and ocean beaches, one might find Bland’s predicament a favorable one. However, that is not the case for the 47-year-old.
Bland made the trip from Lake Orion to Fort Myers several months ago to do carpentry work for his uncle.
‘He was doing some flooring and his back just went out,? said Bland’s friend Kelly Boesl.
Bland went to the doctor, where he was told he has a ruptured disk.
‘He’s got to have surgery or he has to live on pain pills for the rest of his life,? Boesl said. ‘He’s taking Vicodin right now. He’s in pretty bad shape.?
In extreme pain and receiving no reply after signing up for Social Security Disability and with no insurance or money, Bland needs the help of his community to make it home safe.
That is when Boesl, Bland’s friend of 17 years, came up with the idea for a fundraiser.
The event will take place Saturday, May 31 at Kalloway’s Restaurant & Pub, 595 N. Lapeer Road in Oxford. Tickets are $25 per person and all proceeds will go to Bland.
The fundraiser will include performances by Elvis, Rod Stewart, Marvin Gaye, and Lionel Richie impersonators, a 50/50 drawing, a buffet with cash bar and over a dozen door prizes donated from area businesses.
‘Anyone who loves Elvis, Rod, Marvin, Lionel or just has a good heart and a good appetite is welcome to attend,? said Marcie Woodard, event coordinator.
Tickets can be purchased at the door when the event starts at 4:30 p.m.
‘We are hoping that everyone will attend,? Woodard said. ‘Anyone from the surrounding area that is looking for a fun night out, date night or any type of celebration is welcome.?
Those who can’t attend the event but want to contribute to Bland’s cause can still help. There are canisters around town where donations can be placed. Donations can also be dropped off the night of the event or transmitted online via PayPal to Marcie Woodard, Pontiac.
Woodard said the goal is to raise between $3,000 and $5,000 with all funds being given to Bland by June 15.
‘We need to get Tim either back to Michigan for treatment, or he needs to have it in Florida so he can travel,? she said. ‘He can’t sit or stand for more than 10 minutes (without pain) so to transport him back to Michigan, we would have to make special arrangements with the airlines, which are costly.?