Benefit in Mason City for Carlin family

[May 10, 2012]  MASON CITY -- On Saturday, friends and family will host a benefit in Mason City for Gary and Jessica Carlin and family. Gary, a 40-year-old Middletown native and Lincoln Community High School graduate, was diagnosed recently with an aggressive form of cancer. He and his wife, Jessica, together have four children: Hailee, Gabrielle, Eli and Kaidence. All funds raised from the benefit will go toward assisting them with their living expenses.

The fun, all in the name of a good cause, will kick off at the American Legion in Mason City at 3 p.m. Silent auctions, live auctions, raffles, 50-50 and more will be available throughout the evening. Pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, side dishes, baked items, cake and beverages will be on the menu for the dinner, starting at 4 p.m.

Entertainment for the evening will include bluegrass music by Dan Tackett of Lincoln, starting at 4 p.m. Logan County favorites Vintage Daze will take the stage from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., playing classic rock, modern country and blues. The evening will finish out with Lincoln-based band 5 n Dime playing a mixture of rock, country and more.

It will be an evening of fun, good food, entertainment, auction items and gift baskets, with a special time set aside at 8:30 p.m. for "Jessica's Wishes," coordinated by Gary's wife.

Continued fundraising efforts are also being coordinated in many different ways. Friends and co-workers of Jessica's will host an IGA cookout on Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A fundraising night is scheduled at the Lincoln Culver's on May 30 from 5 to 8 p.m., and the Carlin Family Fundraising Garage Sale will be at 602 E. Pine St., a former day care, during the townwide sales in Mason City on June 9.

Pampered Chef, Tupperware and Scentsy fundraisers are ongoing as well, with information about these online at https://www.facebook.com/garycarlinfamily.

Online donations can also be accepted at http://www.helpthecarlinfamily.com/.