Rally for Ryan Fun Day raises $8,000

for Ryan Family Fun Day event held in Chinquapin on Saturday was a huge success, raising about $8,000.

Organizers estimate that about 250-300 people attended the event at Chinquapin Recreation Park. Ryan Griffin is an 8-year-old resident of the Pin Hook community who's been diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy, a severe form of the disease that can cause mental disability and seizures, and Type I diabetes.

For the past two years, the community has rallied around Ryan and his grandmother and caregiver, Betsy James, to build them a new house in Pin Hook that will give Ryan more room to move around and learn to walk.

Saturday's event featured a total of 28 vendors, selling arts and crafts, and providing food and games like a ring toss, and a bouncy house for the children. Baked goods were also on sale, and there was a cake walk as well.

"We are having a good day," Betsy James said. "It's been a wonderful turnout. Some of Ryan's friends from his school came, so he's gotten to fellowship with them, and it's just been a wonderful time."

Terry Evans helped James organize the event, and said that all of the vendors reported successful sales as well.

The culmination of the Family Fun Day was the raffle of a Coolster 150CC ATV with mag rims, which was won by Jill Ricknode of Richlands.

Plans for Ryan and James's new home continue, with the goal for the family to move in to their new home by Christmas.

For more information or to help the Rally for Ryan fundraising efforts, contact Betsy James at 910-289-6101.

Abby Cavenaugh can be reached at acavenaugh@ncweeklies.com or 910-296-0239.