Bring a copy of this flier to Dexter's Pub in downtown Dexter between 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, and 10 percent of your purchase will be donated to help patients' families from C.S. Mott Children's Hospital who have financial challenges.
The Jerry Reed Memorial Fund is holding its 2nd annual fundraiser, which will feature a silent auction from 4-8 p.m. that same day.
Reed was an activity therapist at Mott for 34 years and got to know the kids and families he worked with well. He died in 2010 at the age of 56.
"When Jerry passed away, people sent money, and we thought it would be fitting to start the fund and to do it at Christmas time," said Pat Reed, Jerry's wife.
Close to $4,000 was raised at last year's first fundraiser, and has gone to help families with transportation, food and rent.
"There was a family trying to get a kidney transplant for a child who had to eat a certain diet they couldn't afford," said Pat Reed. "We donated to help him get food and he was able to get the transplant."
Funds have also helped the family of a 6-year-old girl receiving end-of-life care with buying food and getting transportation when they needed to move closer to U-M hospital. Another family was able to secure transportation with the funds while their 14-year-old son received dialysis four times a week.
"These funds are very practical and are helping them in real time," said Erin Khang, A U-M social worker.
This year's silent auction will include a lot of sports memorabilia such as footballs signed by Brady Hoke and Lloyd Carr, signed posters, golf certificates as well as gift cards for the Purple Rose Theatre Company and the Common Grill in Chelsea.
The Reeds' daughters, Tina Reed and Erin McKillen, are also helping with the fundraiser. Pat Reed, who resides in Dexter Township, says that her husband worked with people at the Dexter Pub, and that's why she chose the location. She encourages people to visit the pub Thursday, to help out those for whom money is a real issue.
"Jerry used to try to help people out at Christmas time and slip them some money ," she said. "This fund was set up in his honor, but he wouldn't like me making it about him."
Dexter's Pub is located at 8114 Main St. in downtown Dexter.