I would like to invite you to consider making a contribution to the Steve and Susan Bell Benefit. We are trying to raise some money to help pay their medical bills. On August 1st they lost some of their insurance so most of their medical bills are coming fully out of pocket now.
We are looking for an item for the Auction or a monetary donation. If you are wanting to make a monetary donation, we have an account set up at State Bank of Toulon, Galva Office. 112 N. Exchange Galva, IL 61434 phone number (309)932-2131. You can make it directly to them in Steve and Susan Bell’s honor. If you are able to donate an item for the Auction, please contact me at your earliest convenience.
We are having a Benefit in their honor on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at Mary’s Family Lounge at Rt. 34 Galva. We will have food, an auction, and we will have LIVE entertainment as well.
Over the last 6 months Steve has had 4 Major Operations. Most recently, Steve received a new hip on July 10th -all along trying to stay strong for his family. The last three of Steve’s Operations were at Mayo’s Clinic in Minnesota. To those of you who don’t know that is 602 miles one way from home. On July 10, 2007 Susan (his wife of 26 years) was told she had Stage 3 Breast Cancer. Susan had her first of three operations on July 17, 2007. That was in Galesburg, IL, the last two were in Chicago, at North Western Hospital. Susan had 4 Chemo treatments and 36 straight days of Radiation. All along only missing 12 days of work.
Steve and Susan Bell have been part of the Galva community for over 20 years. Our mission is to help take some of the stress off of Steve and Susan Bell, by pulling together the much needed money for their medical bills. The Bell family as a whole, have been such a HUGE part of Galva for over 75 years. When Steve’s grandfather (C.S. Bell) started a family owned and operated trucking company. (Bell Trucking Inc.) That is still up and running today. Steve is the Shop Manager, so he puts in long hours each and every day.
Steve graduated from Galva High School in 1979. Susan graduated from Knoxville High School in 1981. They were married on June 20, 1981. After 25 years they renewed their wedding vows on the ice at a Peoria Riverman Hockey Game on February 14, 2007.
There is not a place in town you look without seeing something they have done. They started the JFL, in Galva. Susan pulled people together to have a auction and raised the money for all the equipment for all the kids. Steve has used his homemade cooker, to cook hogs for any and every event anyone has ever asked him to. The 4th of July each year, (until this year) Steve, Susan, and their kids cooked all day long. Providing the community with Butterfly pork chops at the Lutheran Church on the 3rd, Pancakes and Sausage for the runners after the 5K run, then Steve’s famous BBQ pork for lunch sandwiches. Yet, never asked for anything in return. As soon as the snow would start to fly Steve would get in the tractor and start cleaning out peoples driveways. They as a family took care of the ice rink in the winter months. The weight for the tractor pull brake, who would get a call, STEVE. Your truck broke down in the middle of the night, who did you call? Steve Bell, break a hose on a tractor in the field, Steve Bell would make it, then bring it out and make sure it was put on the tractor before he would leave. Need help with your computer, putting together a group for after prom, need a chaperone for a field trip, or even just need a place to take a hot shower on your trip thru the state. Where would you go or who to call, the Bell’s have never said “NO” to anyone. It’s time for us to show them how much we are thankful, God has put Steve and Susan Bell in our lives.
I hope you will consider helping Steve and Susan Bell. If you would like additional information, please give me a call at (309)932-2395.
Cordially,
Rebecca K. Blair
Co-Coordinator for Steve and Susan Bell Benefit.
