Sean C. Morgan
John Picco has raised about $1,800 so far toward the $50,000 he needs for a kidney transplant.
John and his wife, Sandie, have held several fund-raising events since Thanksgiving to raise the money.
“The bake sale was a smash,” John said. They raised $427 during a bake sale in front of Wal-Mart, which has pledged to match the proceeds. “A lot of people came together and helped us out with the baked goods.”
He especially wanted to recognize Janel Stockman, who baked food for the event.
Chafin Farms gave carriage rides before Christmas to raise $338.
Thanksgiving dinner at the Frontier Lounge also raised money for the Piccos. Some needy persons showed up at the dinner, and they fed them too.
“That makes us feel good we were able to help someone while we’re getting help,” John said.
Tim and Helen Geil have been fantastic, John said, and now they are planning a fund-raising dinner at the Elks.
Karaoke host Patches, who had worked at the Frontier Lounge for several years, will be disc jockey for the turkey dinner starting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 19. Cost for the meal is $8. For children 12 and younger cost $4.
John wants to host a summer concert with local bands, a couple of whom have agreed to play already; and he would like to hold a golf tournament.
“The big project for me is this music festival,” John said. “We think that we can get a lot of people to participate. The one thing I’m just waiting for is my friend, Jason, to come up.”
His friend is moving to Sweet Home from Sacramento, Calif., and will organize the event.
The Piccos have had an outpouring of help from around the community, Sandie said. People keep contacting them asking how they can help or donate.
John has been a type-one diabetic since the age of six. The disease has created a number of complications, and he needs a new kidney.
Initially they were told they had to raise $50,000 to even get on the waiting list, to show they had enough cash to cover the cost of post-operation medication.
The National Foundation for Transplants has helped, John said, and he will soon be on the transplant list. He thinks their fund-raising efforts so far have helped get him on the list, and Oregon Health Sciences University, which will do the transplant, is helping with raising funds.
Sandie is collecting used ink jet cartridges from OHSU, and she plans to approach other businesses and agencies. She can turn the cartridges in for about $4 each.
For information about John or to help, persons may call 367-5799. Persons also can visit http://www.johnpicco.homestead on the Internet.