Mehringers receive outpouring of support at benefit
BY MARY LANCASTER
At a benefit for the Mehringer family held Saturday night at the Rose & Crown, more than $110,000 was raised to help defray the family’s living expenses for the upcoming months as they cope with a health issue.

“Speaking for all of us, we are so touched we don’t know the words for the gratitude we’re feeling,” said Deb Marelli, Greg’s sister. “Everyone went beyond with their commitment, time and money for a deserving family. They do so much for the community and never ask for a pat on the back or a thank you. Nantucket really showed itself this past weekend as the wonderful community that it is. It was bigger than we expected.”

About two months ago, Jessica Mehringer, 35, discovered a lump in her abdomen, and as befell several other island residents this year, learned the awful truth that she has cancer. Complicating matters, doctors have done extensive testing but have not determined the origin of her disease. Mehringer, who has offered children’s groups through the Community Network for Children and who ran her own home-based childcare group, was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital a month ago, accompanied by her husband Greg, a local contractor, and their daughter Janie, who is four.

On Nov. 25, Greg brought Janie back to the family’s home to be cared for by relatives and friends while he stayed with his wife in Boston until she could return to the island almost two weeks ago. The return was marked by appointments for the couple to commute regularly to Mass. General for Jessica’s continued chemotherapy to try to shrink her tumor so it can be removed and her cancer treatment may begin.

On Saturday night, the Rose & Crown filled with about 200 people dedicated to helping the Mehringers through their struggle by donating to payments of utility bills, health insurance costs and expenses for medications not covered by insurance, travel costs, Home Health visits to their household and the expense of Janie’s daycare. The tables set up for that purpose brought in $40,000, meeting or exceeding the benefit’s goal. An auction yielded more than $70,000.

The benefit was arranged by the Mehringer’s friend Debba Pitcock with assistance from a team of others. People may continue to donate funds, such as to assist in paying the family’s rent, through Pitcock who works at the Rose & Crown. She said on Sunday that Jessica and Greg were returning to Boston on Monday for more therapy and testing, and that the source of the cancer remains undetermined. The need for more fundraising will revolve around Jessica’s diagnosis and rate of recovery, Pitcock

said.

“Things went amazingly. This was an easy benefit to do because so many people wanted to help,” said Pitcock.

Though the list of auction bid winners is quite long, Pitcock highlighted some of the top awards:

• Chris Skehel placed the top bid for a glass cabinet from Christopher’s.

• Maeve Brown won a three-night stay at Alan Worden’s Harborview Hotel on the Vineyard complete with chartered air transport from Herb Cabral.

• Pat and Jody Levesque will have a fireplace installed by mason Mike Marelli.

• Allen “Froggie” Renaud won a pair of Red Sox/Yankee tickets with a limo ride from the airport or boat to the game and back.

• Mark Norris took home four pairs of Bruins tickets.

• Nat Reeder won a week at Gary Winn’s condo in Telluride, Colo. as part of a package also netting him a cord of firewood from the Reeders.

• Kelly and Ron Fescko will have a day of landscaping by Chris Canty and two days of painting from Dave Sharman.

• Gary Winn placed the highest bid on a girls’ night out with a manicure and pedicure from Beauty and Beyond, a facial from the Calming Room, dinner for two at 21 Federal and a white gold diamond heart pendant from Billy Freed.

• Ross Goodwin won a cocktail party for 20 at the Atlantic Cafe.

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