MERC fundraiser tops $120,000 mark in 23-year history

RED OAK — Pancakes and sausage were on the menu, but generosity was the main course Thursday at the MERC Coffee Club’s 23rd annual fundraiser.

Despite the cold, blustery weather, about 500 people attended the fundraiser, with all the proceeds going to Kywin Tibben’s family.

The 5-year-old Stanton boy was diagnosed with cancer in May, resulting in a kidney operation.

While all the funds raised Thursday night go to Kiwyn’s family to help make their holidays a little brighter, its just the latest chapter in a storied history for the MERC coffee club.

Each September, the group chooses someone to benefit from the fundraiser, which they first held in 1987 to help a club member and local electrician suffering from cancer.

As is typical with each fundraiser, the club sells advertisements on the place mats, and also conducts a raffle the night of the pancake dinner to raise money. This year, 120 businesses advertised on the placemats.

More than $120,000 has been raised at the 23 fundraisers. 

The coffee club, which includes about 24 members, meets each weekday at 8 a.m. at the Farmers Mercantile. Through the years, the group has met each day for coffee at several local locations in town, first starting at the former Holiday Inn.