By Heather Chamberlain
West Liberty Business Association President
On Thursday evening, Oct. 24, the “Battling Beside Trudy Benefit” committee hosted an unforgettable evening, featuring a chicken and noodle dinner along with silent and live auctions, to support Trudy Bradley, who is courageously battling lymphoma for the second time. The committee, comprised of the West Liberty Business Association, West Liberty Ohio Lions Club, West Liberty-Salem Athletic Association and other community leaders, worked tirelessly to ensure that every detail reflected Trudy’s commitment to prioritizing her community.
Trudy is not only a barber at Keith’s Cuts and Curls but also a bus driver at West Liberty-Salem and an active volunteer for numerous community organizations. She is involved with the West Liberty-Salem Athletic Association and the After Prom Committee, and she consistently provides team meals for the cross country and track teams.
Trudy and her husband, Tyler, have two sons, Troy and Taryn, who attend West Liberty-Salem and participate in various clubs, extracurricular activities, sports, and music. Troy is a senior, and Taryn is a junior.
The benefit served over 500 meals to more than 600 residents, friends, and supporters at the West Liberty Fire House. Additionally, local businesses and community members generously donated 21 silent auction baskets, raising close to $5,000! A coconut cream pie, Trudy’s favorite, made by Cindy Oelker and donated by The Liberty Gathering Place Restaurant, was auctioned off 17 times, ultimately raising $16,200. After the auction, the pie went home with Trudy!
A “Pie in the Face” auction raised $1,700, giving attendees the chance to pie local celebrities, including Morgan Sullivan, WL-S Athletic Director; Mason Shoemaker, Director of the West Liberty Youth Football Program; Mike Louden, WL-S Cross Country Coach; Gideon Cole, a senior at WL-S; and Taryn Bradley, Trudy’s son. T-shirt sales leading up to the event contributed to the impressive total of over $42,000 raised during the event!
Thank you to our incredible community for coming together, donating, and “Battling Beside Trudy” in her courageous fight against lymphoma.
