The New Bloomfield Lions Club and Pro Muffler Inc. joined together to throw a benefit barbecue for Lonnie Wyman Sr. on Saturday at the old Moser's parking lot.
The barbecue was held to raise money for Wyman and his wife, Kim, after their house burned down in the spring from an electrical fire that originated in the panel box, Lonnie Wyman Jr. said. Wyman Sr. and his wife were on vacation when the fire started - the house's foundation is all that remains, Wyman Jr. said.
"It's hard to describe walking out and seeing something like that burning," Wyman Jr. said. "It took awhile for it to set in."
Keith Thomas, president of the Lions Club, began preparing for the barbecue about two months ago. He asked Gary Blackburn, owner of Pro Muffler Inc., to help organize a car display to go along with the barbecue. Participants who brought a car for display weren't required to pay a fee, but were asked to donate to the cause, Blackburn said.
Thomas, with the help of his wife, friends and other Lions Club members prepared bratwurst, hotdogs, pork steaks and mutton for the barbecue. Baked beans and coleslaw were served as sides as a dinner option at a $2 charge.
During the barbecue, which lasted from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., they sold out of the 47 pork steaks they had when they began before noon, Thomas said. An additional 50 were purchased while the barbecue continued. Thomas expects they'll raise more than their $5,000 goal.
"I just like helping people," Thomas said. "That's what we're supposed to do- help someone in need."