Mercer reaches out

MERCER, Wis. - Around 200 people in the Mercer community and school district came together to help one of their own, Peyton Towne, a fourth-grade student who has a progressive liver disease called Byler's.

A fund-raiser was held Friday afternoon at Carow Park on County J, where people gathered to purchase baked goods and other items to help the Towne family.

"We did this very quickly," said Dee Rice, a Mercer school employee who helped organize the fund-raiser. "For the short-term notice, we will make a pretty penny for them that will help."

Rice said Peyton will be going through surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., so the Towne family will have a lot of traveling and lodging expenses. In addition, the family consists of other children.

"They also have, I want to say, two other children, so they're going through a really difficult time right now and we're helping in the Tiger way," Rice said, noting the school's mascot and the name of the fundraiser, "Paws for Peyton."

Rice said muffins and cupcakes were baked by math teacher Brent Wambold, and the school also brought a full concession, similar to what would be offered at sports games. All the proceeds go to help the Townes.

Rice thanked the number of community members who donated to the family, and the three businesses that donated for the event: Pierce Realty, Joe's Excavating and Scheels Plumbing.

"This community is the most giving community I've ever worked in in my life," Rice said.

She also mentioned other businesses will donate merchandise to be auctioned during a community supper, which will be held at a time to be decided.

"We have to coordinate with the parents," Rice said. "Hopefully, they'll be able to come, and if not, we'll just have to pick a day that's available with the school with everything going on."

Mercer students and school staff were released from 1-3 p.m. to go to the event.

Mercer District Administrator Erik Torkelson said the event was a perfect example of the Tiger way.

"We preach about it all the time when we talk about respect and respecting others, and this is the perfect example of that," he said. "In 48 hours the entire district rallied around a young man who needed help, raised money for him and is going to support a family in need. It just is a microcosm of what we talk about every single day, which is giving back."

Anyone wishing to donate to the Towne family can contact the Mercer School at 715-476-2154.