SIDNEY — Shelby County’s Emergency Operations Center was a beehive of activity Friday morning, FEB. 5, but for an entirely different purpose than that for which it was designed. The room, located in the Sidney Police Department, was transformed into a sit-down restaurant that served breakfast for City and County employees.
Members of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 138 organized the pancake breakfast fundraiser to benefit David Stammen. Stammen, the son of Sidney firefighter Doug Stammen and his wife Robin, was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
The make-shift restaurant’s menu consisted of pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, hashbrown casserole, fruit, coffee and juices. Although the restaurant didn’t officially open until 6:30 a.m., there was already a line shortly after six, and serving began early.
The restaurant’s 178 customers consumed 548 sausage links, 500 pancakes, and 420 eggs – all donated by the members of the FOP Lodge. Rather than receiving a tab as would happen in a normal restaurant, the customers were asked to donate to the help support the Stammen Family.
Each customer donated an average of $16.23 for breakfast. The total collected for the Stammen family was $2,890.
Those who, because of job responsibilities, were unable to attend the breakfast, ordered breakfast delivered to their jobsite. Joyce Reier delivered meals to the Service Center.
Sidney Police Officer Mike McRill was among those assisting with the 79 meals delivered throughout the City. He joined forces with Fourth Ward City Councilmember Steve Wagner delivering meals to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Municipal Court, the Sheriff’s Office and the Shelby County Courthouse.
“It is gratifying to know that there are so people who are pulling together to help Stammen Family,” Wagner said. “All of the ‘worker bees’ were taking direction from Amy Jennings, including Chief Balling and me, among others. She did a fantastic job of organizing the fundraiser.”
“It was a joint effort,” Jennings said. “I certainly want to thank Angie Kitzmiller, Chief Balling, Capt. Bill Shoemaker, Capt. Mike Rosengarten, Officer Mike McRill, Detective Aaron Wesbecher, Deputy Fire Chief Cam Haller, Councilman Steve Wagner, Sylvia Smith, Lori Werling and my husband for getting up extra, extra early to help with this event. I know that I can always count on their help with whatever crazy idea I come up with!”
“I also want to thank the FOP Lodge for monies to purchase all the food,” Jennings continued. “I also want to thank Freshway Foods, specifically the Gilardi Family, for donating the fruit. We could not have put this on without everyone’s help!”
“Finally, I want to thank all of those who attended or simply stopped by to give a donation. I know the Stammen Family is so appreciative of everyone’s continued support!” Jennings said.
“Amy came to me and told me that she wanted to do something for the Stammen Family,” Balling said. “Amy has one of the biggest hearts of all the people I know,” he continued. “She considers all of the people with whom she works her family. Without her none of this would have been accomplished.”
David Stammen, a student at Houston High School, has been unable to attend school because of his weakened immune system. He continues to undergo treatment at Children’s Hospital in Dayton.
