LAUREL HILL — Tim McLean said he was not sure what was going on when he pulled his truck off Marston Road over the weekend while running errands.
“I guess you could say I was nosey,” McLean said. “I saw all the cars, heard the music and could smell the barbecue.”
The event that got the attention of McLean and about 100 others was the Barbecue and Bluegrass event to help raise money for the family of Caleb Buffaloe, who was born with spina bifida, a birth defect where there is incomplete closing of the backbone and membranes around the spinal cord.
“The fact that this was helping a kid in need made the thing that much nicer,” McLean said. “I’m glad I stopped.”
The day of food, music and storytelling began Saturday morning at the Pickin Shed and continued into early evening. A local clogging group kicked off the entertainment followed by four separate bluegrass groups that performed throughout the day.
“My wife’s father plays bluegrass and so we figured it might be a good thing to bring bluegrass and barbecue to together,” said Caleb’s father, Jamie. “So far, it has worked out pretty well with this large crowd and the response. We appreciate everything that people have done.”
Members of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Gibson, where the Laurel Hill family attends church, helped prepare the chopped barbecue and helped sell plates.
“The day has just been overwhelming,” Jenny Buffaloe said. “We are very grateful.”
Proceeds from the barbecue plates, a baked sale and raffle will help the family try to raise at least $25,000 to purchase a wheelchair accessible van for 13-year-old Caleb, a student at Carver Middle School. Most of those volunteering on Saturday wore bright yellow shirts with the words: Got wheels?
“I don’t have any idea how much we’ve raised today,” Jenny Buffaloe said. “But it has been so satisfying to see the kind of support we have gotten from friends, family and the community.”
Those wishing to donate to the effort, can reach the family at 910-462-2999.