The Rowan County Fire and Rescue Association will host a barbecue-chicken fundraiser and silent auction March 19 to benefit a firefighter and first responder who faces surgery to remove a tumor later this month.
Chad Earnhardt, 31, is an assistant chief with the Gold Hill Fire Department and assistant supervisor with Rowan County 911 who also volunteers his time with the Rowan County Rescue Squad.
Last year, Earnhardt was diagnosed with a rare Sarcoma Cancer.
ěEven though Chad was going through regular surgeries and chemotherapy, he never missed one day of work until this past December when he had to go into the hospital for an extended stay,î Deborah Horne, a county fire inspector and investigator, wrote in a press release.
He missed Christmas at home but was able to make it out of the hospital for the birth of his first child, Breanna Elizabeth, on Jan. 24. He stayed in the room with his wife Kristie in side-by-side beds.
Earnhardt is now home but will have more surgery March 23. Doctors are confident they will be able to remove Earnhardtís tumor and with more chemotherapy he will make a full recovery, the press release said.
ěChad has always been the first to step up and help anyone in need,î Horne wrote. ěI know that Chad never realized that he may need a little help one day and that is why we are putting together this fundraiser.î
The fundraiser will be held at the Rowan County Rescue Squad, 1140 Julian Road. Tickets are being sold in advance and must be purchased by Monday. Tickets are $9 apiece and include a barbecued half-chicken, beans, slaw, roll, dessert and drink.
The food is available for dining in or takeout and 10 or more plates purchased for the same location can be delivered.
A silent auction will be held with many items donated by area businesses.
For more information or to buy a ticket, drop by the Rowan County Rescue Squad on Julian Road or contact Randy Earnhardt, chief of the Gold Hill Fire Department, at 704-239-3819; Bonnie Cress, Rockwell Rural Fire Department, at 704-239-5569; or Deborah Horne, Rowan County Emergency Services, 704-239-3053.