By Morgan Sheeder | Special to the Times Vedette
On Wednesday, Sept. 16, a community drive-thru fundraiser was held at Riverside Park to support Dan Tallman, whose garage and house caught fire in late August. The fundraiser was organized by Becky Secoy Peterson and Tricia Secoy-Schreck. More than 10 volunteers helped package and hand out hundreds of meals, including hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, a cookie and bottle of water.
“This is what community is all about,” Becky Secoy Peterson wrote on Facebook after the fundraiser. “So grateful to live in a place where people don’t hesitate to rally together when someone needs a little extra support. When we rally together, we are unstoppable.”
Dan Tallman has lived in Guthrie Center his entire life and is well-known throughout the community. Dan and his daughter, Eva, were at the fundraiser chatting and laughing with those who came to donate, waving at every person who drove through.
“We were sold out in just one hour and 15 minutes,” Tricia Secoy-Schreck wrote on Facebook. The fundraiser was originally planned to happen from 4-7 p.m., but clearly, the support for Dan was overwhelming from the people in Guthrie County.
Dan is planning to rebuild his garage and the part of his house that was damaged from the fire. He said a Go-Fund-Me is in the works for donations, but it has not officially been set up yet. A Dan Tallman fundraiser account has been set up at Guthrie County State Bank, and those who wish to contribute can make donations there.
Volunteers last night included Becky Secoy Peterson, Tricia Secoy-Schreck, Ken and Julie Gilge, Stacey Kesselring, Cindy Derry, Rick and Caroline Kness, Chris Harwood, Vicki Crannell and Michael Malott.
Dan Tallman talks to Rick Kness and Ken Gilge.
Tessa and Bristol Sheeder show their support.
Julie Gilge hands food off to the Schreiber family.
Becky Secoy Peterson and one of multiple lines of cars from the evening.
Volunteers and Dan Tallman prepares for the drive-thru to open.
Dan and Eva Tallman
Ken Gilge and Rick Kness man the grill station cooking hamburgers and hotdogs.
Vicki Crannell gets food hot off the grill and helps wrap it before serving.
Chris Harwood and Michael Malott.
Julie Gilge and Stacey Kesselring