By Quinn O’Hara

Several individuals in the Wakefield community are organizing a Ride or Drive Benefit for longtime Wakefield resident and Wakefield Schools Coach Patty Flickinger.

Flickinger was recently diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Her sister, Cherry Rosenbury, said the funds raised will help pay for Flickinger’s medical bills that insurance won’t cover. She said any donations would greatly help her family.

Community members are invited to ride or drive their cars and motorcycles to Scanolli’s in Wakefield at 9 a.m. on June 8. From there, participants will drive a loop around Milford Lake starting with a visit to Suzy-Q Neighborhood Grill, then on to Milford Tropics, The Cove, Legacy Outdoors of Wakefield, and back to Scanolli’s. There folks can enjoy a free-will donation pulled pork dinner. Several items including guns, outdoor gear, paintings, children’s items, and more have also been donated for auctions and raffles to be held after dinner.

Debbie Brown, who aided in organizing donations for the benefit, said, “People have been so generous, so we hope that we’ll have a really good turn out and we will be able to give back to this family who’s given so much to us.”