Local resident Neddie Chapman has been known to help others through difficult circumstances. Neighbors know that Chapman is always there for them to lend a helping hand. However, recently Chapman discovered she is the one in need. Chapman faces several devastating medical conditions. So Chapman’s neighbors have banded together to help Chapman raise money to help pay for her medical costs.

Neighbors will be hosting “A Night for Neddie.” The event will feature a live concert benefit and love basket auction. The fundraiser is scheduled for October 19 from 6 - 9 p.m. in the Kipling Community Building. The price of admission is $10 per person.

Dee Songer, one of the organizers of the fundraiser, said she met Chapman approximately four years ago. However, she said she feels like she has known her a lot longer.

“Well it seems like I’ve known her my whole life, she is like a sister to me,” Songer said. “We’ve seen each other through some very rough times.”

Songer said Chapman reached out to her when her sister died.

“When I found my only biological sister’s body, Neddie ran to my aid,” Songer said. “I found my sister in her home, alone, and dead. Needless to say, the trauma of that affected me deeply; but Neddie helped me to hold things together.”

Chapman continued to help Songer in her time of need.

“After the loss of my sister and settling of estate, I was the one that had to take possession of and live in her home as well as take care of her pets. The home was in unspeakable conditions but Neddie helped me to clear out and clean everything, and she used her own money to help me re-build floors

and prime and paint walls, tear out and replace carpet.”

However, Songer said Chapman has recently fallen on her own hard times. She said Chapman’s marriage came to an end and doctors discovered a large tear in Chapman’s stomach wall.

“The content of her stomach had been leaking throughout her body which is what made her terribly sick,” Songer said.

However, Chapman’s hard times do not end there. When Chapman’s doctors were prepping her for her stomach surgery, they discovered cancer in her lungs.

Songer said she would encourage the community to come out to the fundraiser and support Chapman.

“Truth be told, you, me, the neighbor down the street; none of us knows from one minute to the next if we will need some kind of help. This could be your sister, cousin, friend, mother, and loved one. And if it were and you were unable to help her all on your own, wouldn’t you want someone to help you help her?” Songer said. “That’s why I’ve worked for the past two months to do all I can do for Neddie. That’s what we are called to do. I was helped and healed, I only have so much, but I’m gladly giving what I have. I’m no one special. I too am someone’s sister, cousin, friend, mother, and loved one. I was helped and I’m now giving myself to help all others.”

Food for the fundraiser will include hotdogs, potato chips, desserts and bottled water.

Songer hopes to see the community at the event.

“This is my buddy Neddie, and she needs our help,” Songer said. “Not that she’d ask for it, but I know she needs us. I want to do a benefit for her; I know she needs this, and I know you can help me raise money for her, so she can have her surgeries, and regain her life. God has called us all to love and help one another, this is our opportunity!”