Area residents will have the chance to make Sunday a day to remember for Jamestown native Russ Carcione when a benefit is held in his honor.
"Russ-Fest" is scheduled for Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Lakewood Legion, and will include live music by Pressure Sensitive, AMP it up! DJ and karaoke, Schuyler's chicken barbecue, a Chinese auction, drawings and games.
The event was planned by several local residents including Debbie Schuyler of Schuyler's Country Kitchen and Blue Moon Management's John Streed.
Article Photos
Russ Carcione, center, with his daughters, from left, Nicole, Marissa and Danielle.
Submitted photo
"Russ was diagnosed a few months ago with colon cancer," said Schuyler. "He went to Roswell to have a couple of surgeries, and now he has a port in to get ready to do six months of chemo treatments. So, we thought it would be a nice thing to try to help out by putting a benefit together for him."
The benefit will have a barbecue theme, and Carcione's friends have donated some items that will be raffled off at the event. There will also be some games such as a putting contest to win a driver and corn hole. Prizes such as an ACER laptop computer, a 43-inch HDTV, a Kindle Fire, baskets and more will also be available.
"We want people to not only participate by coming, but also to have some fun," said Schuyler. "It will be our last barbecue of the year. When you get people together for six hours we wanted to make sure we could provide a nice dinner. The chicken dinner will include a half chicken, homemade baked beans, coleslaw and a roll. And, it's on Sunday, which is always a good day for a chicken dinner."
According to Streed, Lakewood is a small community so when someone is in need, the entire community comes together to help.
"The Schuylers and Russ are friends so I'm promoting the event, and doing anything else I can to help," said Streed.
Tammy Blake of Yesterday's was able to secure Pressure Sensitive as the headliner for the event. The band offers a classic and modern rock experience with covers ranging from the 1960s to modern hits as well as originals and requests.
Michael Key, guitarist for Pressure Sensitive, was more than happy to play the event when he heard that someone was sick and needed help, he said.
"Not too long ago I had an uncle that passed away from cancer, so anytime I hear about someone having cancer it really does hit home," said Key. "It's a hard thing to deal with so anything we can do to help out we're going to do because it's the right thing to do. We've played a lot of benefits in the past, and we know that it gets the word out and helps raise money for the family in need. We feel it's our duty in a sense to do what when we can."
Carcione will be in attendance at the event to spend the day with friends and to meet those who may not know him but would like to support his fight against cancer.
"Cancer is such a horrible thing," said Schuyler. "And, we need to show people that we care by making it a day to remember. I'll have pictures taken to put together a photo album for Russ to be able to see all the people who came out to support him. I think knowing that people care helps people get through their battle with cancer. Just knowing that so many people are behind you can keep you going."
Tickets for the chicken barbecue are available prior to the event for $15 at Yesterday's, Good Time Saloon, Lakewood Legion, Celoron Moose and at Schuyler's Country Kitchen. For more information call 526-4233.