By BRYNNE MCMURRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
All hearts went out to the Bellavance family on Saturday, June 29, at a fundraiser dinner hosted by friends of the family at the Logandale Fairgrounds. The dinner was meant to raise funds to support the family as they care for their son, Joseph Bellavance, who has been in a coma for the last two months.
The family took 23-year-old Joseph to the emergency room with a severe headache. The doctors found a 6×4 cm brain tumor in Joseph’s left cerebellum. What was supposed to be a routine and simple surgery on April 18 turned into a nightmare when, the day after, a hematoma hemorrhage caused Joseph to go into emergency surgery. He has been in a coma ever since.
In this time of trial, the community has reached out to lift the family up. Ryan Anderson of Logandale was instrumental in planning the dinner.
“They haven’t asked for anything in their lives,” Anderson said. “People have just come together to help. And I think that they have come to the conclusion that they couldn’t do it without the help,” “The Bellavance’s have really just touched so many people’s lives,” Anderson added, “and we just try to give them back the help that they deserve.”
Anderson noted all of the community support received for the event and for the family in general. The list of people and businesses that donated time, money or products went on and on. Many people gave products to support the raffle that was held at the event, Anderson said. Local families, such as the Lewis family in Moapa, contributed the beef for the event. Chad Leavitt and J.D. Cornwall provided time and services to cook the meat. The Rider family was also invaluable in making the event happen, even opening an America First Credit Union account that already holds more than $7,000 donated to the family. Overton resident Brad Bush assisted in advertising and selling tickets. Lin’s Supermarket and Ace Hardware also gave money towards the raffle, bake sale and dinner. Many more people have supported the family emotionally and financially.
“There’s so many people that have come together as a group effort, I don’t want to leave anyone out,” Anderson said.
The idea started out at Simplot Silica where Joseph’s father, Ray Bellavance, works. After hearing of Joseph’s condition, a suggestion was made that a raffle be held for few rifles with the proceeds going to the family. But Simplot officials sat down and started talking about something a little bigger than that.
The resulting event sold more than 1,000 tickets. The dinner was held in the fine arts building at the Fairgrounds where the room was packed with friends, family and others who wanted to support the Bellavance family.
The raffle itself was a huge success with a variety of different prizes including everything from Bex hats and sunglasses to a Freestyle Rocker camping chair to home decor items. The standout items in the auction were three rifles from Overton Ace Hardware. On one gun alone, there were about $8,000 worth of tickets sold.
Raffle organizer Nicole Rider said that all items were freely donated.
“At the beginning we went to many of the businesses in town and they donated a lot of money, Rider said. “We took that and bought everything you see for this raffle.”
Rider herself has given much to the event and to the Bellavance family in time, money and resources.
“I absolutely love the Bellavance family,” she said, “And I am happy to do whatever I can to help them.”
Rider said that support of the event was amazing.
“Things like this prove that people are good, despite what you see on the news all the time,” she said. “A lot of friends and family have helped for sure. People were always calling and asking me how they could help..”
Logandale resident Erika Whitmore volunteered to help at the event and was equally impressed with the community support.
“This is our community at its greatest,” Whitmore said. “There are a lot of people that came here tonight and it’s amazing.”
Ray Bellavance stood up to thank all who attended following the raffle. There was not a dry eye in the room as he spoke through tears about his son, how he is doing and how much he appreciated those who came out to the event.
“My spirits are high and my gratitude is deep,” Ray said. “Please keep praying for Joe.”
In an interview following the event Ray expressed additional gratitude.
“ It’s been amazing!” he said. “I had no idea that my family and I have made this much of an impact. What did we do to deserve this? The miracles we have seen with Joseph, with the nurses and the community, I know that they are straight from Heavenly Father.”
Joseph is not yet officially awake, but he shows signs of stimulation. His parents have not left his bedside and his family was ecstatic when he was able to thumb wrestle his younger brother.
“I know this will be a success story,” Ray said, “I know he is going to be the best physical therapist there ever was.”
Joseph’s mom, Robyn Bellavance also expressed gratitude.
“I’ve felt very grateful and overwhelmed with everything that’s going on,” she said. “So many people have offered help. We are just completely overwhelmed with gratitude and thankful to live here.”
