A crowd estimated to be close to 500 people showed up last Friday to Pebble Creek Bar and Grill to show their support for Kristi Dose, a local mom who has been fighting a years-long battle against cancer.

The benefit was the 15th such event sponsored by the Becker Education Association and raised approximately $55,000 for Kristi’s continuing fight.

Scott’s co-workers from Marathon Petroleum were on hand to present a check for $17,770 to the family, while Kristin’s brother Ryan, a hunting and fishing guide in South Dakota, was also instrumental in helping to raise the funds.

As the couple is originally from the Arlington, MN area in Sibley County, many friends and relatives made the journey to Becker to help show their support for the cause.

The benefit included a dinner, silent auction, various raffles and a live auction event. Benefit chair Jason Baune noted that the Becker, Clear Lake and Santiago Lions Clubs all donated to the benefit, as did many area businesses who provided items for the auctions and raffles.

Photojournalists from both KARE11 and WCCO television stations were on hand to document the evening’s activities, with stories expected to be aired sometime within the next week.

Thursday (May 4) evening, the Becker softball and baseball programs hosted their annual Strike Out Cancer games, with all the proceeds also being donated to the cause.

With the amazing fundraising total, Baune said that the annual benefit has now raised in excess of $200,000 for different causes since its inception in 2004 when funds were earmarked for an AED for the Santiago community.