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August fundraiser to aid Joe Toerner

Fairfield benefit will help pay for costs incurred from Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

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By Jay Morrison, Staff Writer 1:10 AM Thursday, June 25, 2009

FAIRFIELD — Any party with Joe Toerner in attendance is guaranteed to be fun, so just imagine how festive the one will be with the 1978 Badin High School graduate and Lindenwald native as the guest of honor.

“Joe just literally loves people,” said longtime friend Therese Kugler, who is one of many friends helping to organize the Joe Toerner Benefit on Aug. 21 at the Oscar Events Center in Fairfield.

“Joe just has this openness about him that makes people feel comfortable around him,” Kugler added. “He’s always considered the life of the party.”

Even a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis — also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease — hasn’t dampened Toerner’s spirits.

But the disease, which has no cure, has taken its toll in other regards, which is why so many people are joining together to honor their friend with the August fundraiser.

“I never wanted anything like this, but as my symptoms get worse and worse, it seems like we’re going to need a lot more help,” said Toerner, who lives with his wife, Lori, and sons Zach and Matt in Fairfield. “It’s amazing how people rally around something like this. I’ve got a lot of great friends and a great family,”

Tickets for the fundraiser are $50, which includes a dinner that will feature various ethnic food stations. There also will be a silent and live auction, along with a cash bar, a DJ and live music.

Anyone wishing to purchase tickets or donate items for auction should contact Kugler at tbakug@aol.com. Cash donations also are accepted at any Key Bank branch.

The group also is setting up a Web site — www.friendsofjoe.info — which will be updated with the entire list of auction items available at the benefit.