Fundraiser to benefit family

October 7, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Austintown

Jim Sobien and his four children, age 17, 13, 11 and 9, had a comfortable life before a fire damaged their Cannon Drive home in 2009.

After the fire, Sobien lost his job, and eventually, the house was foreclosed on, said family friend Carrie Dascoli. Though Sobien is working full time again, he’s sleeping in his truck, and the children are staying with family friends.

Those same family friends are making an effort to raise enough money to get the family back on its feet.

Dascoli, of Austintown, said she’s known the Sobiens for about three years and helped organize a fundraiser to help get Sobien the money he needs to rent an apartment in the township.

A pancake breakfast and basket auction is set for 8 to 11 a.m. Nov. 5 at the Mineral Ridge Fire Station on state Route 46.

Dascoli said though Sobien is working full time, he’s had difficulty getting enough money for first and last month’s rent and a security deposit for an apartment.

“It’s tough to come up with that kind of money all at once,” she said. “I believe in action. When somebody is in trouble, that’s when others need to step up and do what we can to make the situation better.”

Tickets for the benefit are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Dascoli said tickets priced for the auction aren’t finalized, but they plan to auction off major ticket items such as a Nintendo Wii and Nintendo 3DS, an Amazon Kindle, a bicycle and various other items.

Cheryl Balciar of Mineral Ridge said though Sobien’s three sons currently are staying with her, he sees them every day. His daughter, who is 17, is living with Balciar’s daughter.

“He’s just trying to keep his family together,” Balciar said. “He’s with them every day, and he’s trying hard to get them into their own place. ... Sometimes people just need a hand getting back on their feet.”

Dascoli said she hopes the benefit will raise at least $3,000 for the family.

For more information about the benefit, contact Dascoli at 330-717-4825 or Balciar at 330-544-1064. To make donations, stop by or contact any Huntington Bank branch.