Fall 2017 | 9 By Patty Companik When one of our fellow snowmobile riders is in need, we step up and help without hesitation. On Aug. 26, this is exactly what happened. Dennis Allen, president of the Little Ascutney Snowmobile Club in Reading recently revealed he had cancer and that he and his family would be starting the process to destroy this ugly disease. Mike Coleman of the Ludlow Side Hill Cronchers quickly pulled together a committee to organize a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to help the Allen family with expenses. Six Windsor county snowmobile clubs actively participated. Over 250 people attended the event, which required 23 pounds of pasta, 15 gallons of sauce and 20 pounds of meat. The event would not have been possible without the help of many volunteers. Keith Young, Curt Allen and Gary Vittum set up and cleaned up. Ester Allen and Calista handled tables and serving coordination. Sam McMillan, Sammy, Julie-Anna and Gretchen Gilcris helped serve. Three generations of Gilcrises helped cook and prepare the sauce with the help of Kate Allen. Jeff Strong, Mike Coleman, Jeff Jr. and Doug Peabody cooked pasta in three large pots. Lee Whiting chaired and set up the silent auction. Karen Marini and Donna Martin organized desserts. Wayne Giese, Nick Jarvis and Joe Rebideau coordinated the raffle. Jessica and Dorothy Allen washed all the dishes and silverware. The silent auction raised over $3,000. The following people, businesses or clubs made donations: Klim, Lee Whiting, Farrell Distributing, The Companiks, Gary Wade, Simon Pearce Glassworks, Benny’s Power, Stone Hearth Inn, Andover Mountaineer Snowriders, Barre Pinske, Jarvis Detailing, Sam’s Small Engine Repair, The Schultzes, Cavendish Game Farm, Nick Jarvis, Jeff Slade, Critter Sitters, Hurricane Riders Snowmobile Club, The Choinieres, Nortrax, Lil Ascutney Snowmobile Club, Tiny and Barry Vittum, The Marinis, The Asian Salad Dressing Lady, Springfield Hallmark Store, Chester Snowmobile Club and Deep River Snacks There were many individuals and clubs who made monetary donations of $100 or more: The Marshall Family, VASA, Ludlow Side Hill Cronchers, Chester Snowmobile Club, Skitchewaug Trail Riders Snowmobile Club, Long Hill Snowmobile Club, Bruce and Tula Ingerson, John and Wanda Murphy, Tina and Kevin Berge, Mark Bushway, Dan and Deb Tiernan, Bob and Ester Allen, Jim Bartlett, Ronald Griffith and Virginia Durphey. After all was completed, over $13,000 was raised in just a few hours of hard work and compassion. Dennis Allen was humbled and thankful to everyone. He and his family are very grateful. We wish them well as they take on this battle and we look forward to the day he has been told by his doctors he is free and clear of this disease! We are a strong community of many clubs, businesses and individuals. Sure, we join VAST to ride the trails, but for many of us, it is much more than that. It is also about family, good friends, community and taking care of each other. $13,000 IN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE RAISED FOR DENNIS ALLEN Over 250 people attended the spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Dennis Allen spent some time at the event with his two childhood friends David Sanderson and Bruce Schulz. (Patty Companik photos) 2974 E MAIN ST, WATERBURY, CT • 203-755-2682 WWW.LANDNSEAPOWERSPORTS.NET NEWEST DEALER IN CT!