Jack and Jim’s Event Center last Friday played host to the Becker Education Association’s (BEA) community benefit which this year was held to support five year old Niko Vig, a Becker student who is battling Leukemia.
Once again, the Becker community showed up in force to raise funds for the family, as well as the spirits of the young boy who is making progress but still faces a long road to recovery.
“I am just amazed at the community support and how everyone lifted up Niko,” said Jennifer Potter-Vig, Niko’s mom. “This journey at times when sitting in isolation in a hospital room can feel very lonely, and Niko will say this every now and again. To give him this visual, that all of these people took time to show their support and are cheering him on means he is never alone.”
Nearly 300 meals were served and many additional community members showed up to support the cause by participating in a variety of raffles and the silent auction.
Last year’s benefit recipients, the Bender family, were on hand to help facilitate the kids raffle and also update the crowd on Ivan Bender’s recovery from kidney cancer.
“Ivan is in remission,” announced Ariel Bender as the crowd applauded the progress Ivan has made in the past year.
But the focus quickly shifted back to supporting Niko during the popular live auction event featuring Col. Ray Henry and IRAY auctions.
“Colonel Ray has been with us for 12 of the 13 benefits now and it’s amazing the interactions he is able to have with the crowd,” said Jason Baune, co-president of the BEA.
“We appreciate him and the many volunteers and businesses who make this event possible every year.”
Niko’s Progress
Niko has endured many treatments and some setbacks over the past months since he began battling illness last fall.
“As the doctors state, Niko has had a tough road,” says Jennifer. “He’s had neutropenic colitis during the first cycle of chemo and then he got RSV and pneumonia during consolidation.
“Yet, through all of this he is progressing at Niko's pace and in Niko's way.”
As Niko continues his journey, people are able to follow his progress through his Caring Bridge website. Jennifer updates the progress Niko is making and also is able to see the well wishes from the vast community of supporters.
“There's always someone in his corner,” says Jennifer. “And that’s a big deal.”
