By Jacob Dimond
jake@yelmonline.com
Nearly 250 community members, friends and family of the Jennerjahn family attended a silent auction fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Yelm Senior Center to benefit 5-year-old Jonny Jennerjahn as he battles a terminal diagnosis of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., attendees at the senior center ate dinner and bid on 150 donated auction items from local businesses and community members. Jennerjahn’s cousin and YHS graduate Mikayla Ramey said the funds raised during the silent auction will be enough to support her cousins with travel and lodging as they trek from Graham to Colorado every four weeks for the 5-year-old’s treatment.
“The event was amazing. We raised a lot of money for them. There were so many people there, and a lot of people that no one knew, just a random person from the public. Obviously a lot of family and friends came, too, but it was special to see how many people we didn’t know showed up to support,” Ramey said. “[Sarah Jennerjahn, Jonny’s mother] was actually telling me that, this month, because they have to go to Colorado for treatment and it’s winter, and everybody wants to go to Colorado this time of year for the snow, their plane tickets were like $1,000 and their hotel was super expensive, too. That was for this one trip, and they have two trips next month.
“I want everyone to know that I’m super thankful for everything,” Ramey added. “I’m super thankful for the donation items. I’m super thankful for everyone who gave monetary donations, and I’m thankful for everybody that came and supported the family. It was super awesome. I’m very grateful for all of it.”
Leading up to the event, Ramey said she was nervous asking local businesses for donations for the event and about the event’s turnout itself. The local community came through, however, as over 200 people attended the auction, and nearly 150 items were donated for Jonny’s cause.
Ramey’s mother, Kimberly, checked in attendants of the event at the door and asked each person if they knew the Jennerjahn family or not.
“[My mom] said there were more people from the general public than there were family and friends. It was really cool because people just came to support a random family they didn’t know,” Ramey said. “It made me feel really happy. The day was so busy because I was running around doing things to make sure the day was perfect, but when I’d stop to look around and appreciate the event, it was so cool to see everyone coming together for them. It’s cool because I’ve never done something like that before. To see it all play out and be a successful event was awesome.”
Ramey said she may organize another fundraiser for her family in the near future. She’s anticipating hosting a bake sale or a similar fundraiser in the next several months while the holiday season is near.
“The event was really successful. Eventually, we’re going to do something else, not like a silent auction or anything,” Ramey said. “But I’ve been thinking about doing a bake sale for them in a couple months, probably after the holidays. Maybe I’ll do it before the holidays because people like treats this time of year.”
