For once, the Centralia Orphans
and the Mt. Vernon Rams were rooting for the same
team when Centralia hosted the Rams on Friday. Everyone in the gym, regardless of
wearing red or orange, was rooting for Team
Gillespie.
Gus Gillespie, a former teacher and coach at
Centralia High School and Mt. Vernon Township High
School, and his wife, Janna, a former teacher at
CHS, are facing every
parent’s worst nightmare. Their seven year old son,
Gunner, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor
in late November.
To show support for
the Gillespie family, CHS Renaissance organized a
fundraiser for the game. The CHS Dance Team collected donations
in the stands. Two gift baskets were also raffled.
The announcer told Gunner's story as a slideshow of
the family played on the JumboTron.
Centralia and Mt. Vernon came together to raise
over $1,800 for the Gillespie family.
CHS Renaissance
thanks everyone for their support. A special thank
you goes to the CHS Dance Team, who collected
donations, and to Nikki Langenfeld, who also helped
organize the event.
