Benefit dinner held for Jacobsen family

Friends of the family of Monte and Trudy Jacobsen gathered at the United Methodist Church in Maryville on Sunday to hold a benefit dinner for the family.

Both Monte and Trudy were undergoing treatment for cancer and had been unable to work.

The dinner was meant to raise funds for medical expenses and other costs associated with their condition, but it became something much different.

Trudy died on Friday, leaving behind many family members, colleagues and close friends.

But that only strengthened the outpouring of support on Sunday afternoon.

More than 500 people stopped by the church and donated roughly $12,000 to help the family.

"All of the friends of the family got together," Jim Ball, one of the organizers of the dinner, said. "We want to do everything we can to help them."

Besides friends of the Jacobsen family, others who helped out include the Maryville High School football team, Twisters soccer, Aramark Food Service and Eddy and Betty Heitman from The Bistro, among many others.

"The generosity of the Jacobsen family was greatly appreciated over the years," Ball said. "And the community support was overwhelming and greatly appreciated also."

Ball said that a 3-on-3 basketball fundraising tournament for the family is in the works some time this spring.

Anyone wishing to help can send checks to Monte Jacobsen, ℅ Jeff Farlow, 1805 S. Munn, Maryville, Mo., 64468.