Country CafÈ is hosting a silent auction April 6, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jill Bennett, owner of the cafÈ, organized the auction to benefit the Brandon Stewart Fund. Brandon’s family is trying to raise money to go to China for a procedure that will improve his eyesight.Two other locations, My Sister’s Kitchen and Coke’s Diner, also are participating, with auction items at each location.Diagnosed at 6 months old with optic nerve hypolpeasia, the most common cause of childhood blindness, Brandon, now 7 years old, reads Brail. “We hope that the procedure will help him see enough to read large print,” said Brandon’s mother, Katrina Stewart.Bennett knows the Stewarts through her husband’s work. “When I heard the Stewarts were trying to raise money for Brandon’s procedure, I wanted to do something to help this sweet little boy,” Bennett said.She placed collection jars at Jill’s Country CafÈ, My Sister’s Kitchen and Coke’s Diner. Donations started coming in, as well as other offers to help. “Many of my customers want to do more than drop their spare change in the jar,” Bennett said.Individual community members and local businesses like Big Valley Sod, Lowes, Home Depot, Sam’s Club and Alpine Vision have donated items for the silent auction.The auction items include a 14-inch Insignia TV, framed watercolor pictures, a shop vac, a certificate for a decorated cake and gift certificates to Sam’s Club and Safeway.”It brings tears to my eyes because so many people in the community really care,” Stewart said. “It’s so heartwarming to see people help out someone they don’t even know.”
To place bids for the April 6 silent auction, visit any of the participating locations:Jill’s Country CafÈ, 7117 McLaughlin Rd, FalconMy Sister’s Kitchen, 2416 E Boulder St, Colorado SpringsCoke’s Diner, 311 N Santa Fe Ave, Fountain
