Benefit to help family reunite

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.