During a Nov. 19 Sedley fundraiser for cancer victim Robin Bulls, an amazing 1,500 barbecue and fried chicken dinners were served.

“I’m still in shock, said event organizer Robin Stephens. “I just didn’t think it would be that big. My goal was 500.”

Robin Stephens and Renae Hewett, both of Sedley, headed up the fundraiser; they are sisters to Al Bulls, who is Robin Bulls’ husband.

The sisters’ aunts, Nancy Pfieffer and Judy Bulls, planted the idea for the fundraiser.

Robin Stephens and Renae worked with Nixon’s Catering Services, which suggested doing the fundraiser on a Friday because meals could be sold to businesses, schools and government offices.

They advertised the lunchtime fundraiser on the social-networking website Facebook.

“It immediately spread like wildfire,” Robin Stephens said.

Family friend Beth Williams, who works at Bronco Federal Credit Union, sold 102 plates, of which 81 were delivered to her co-workers.

Another family friend, Sara Hasty of Courtland, sold close to 100 meals. Family friend Elizabeth Barnes of Sedley also sold quite a few dinners.

“I think I saw through this whole fundraiser how God wants us to be as people,” Robin Stephens said. “It was an opportunity for people to do something.”

Robin Bulls was diagnosed with cancer in 2008. She is recovering from surgery and is unable to work. Her husband lost his job when International Paper closed its Franklin mill earlier this year.

Robin and Al Bulls and their children, Allie, 20, a sophomore at James Madison University, and Jamie, 15, a sophomore at Southampton High School, are grateful.

The fundraiser committee also thanked Sedley Fire Chief Keith Rose for allowing the use of the fire station for the event.

n Chuck Okleshen of the Knights Of Columbus Council No. 11781 of St Jude’s

Catholic Church made a donation to Ronnie Ferguson of Cooperative Ministries.

The funds were raised from Bingo hosted by the Knights of Columbus on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Proceeds also provided 10 turkeys to the Social Ministries of St Jude’s for meals distributed to the community.

n Alfred Hatfield of Franklin stopped by The Tidewater News the other day to show off a freaky vegetable — a sweet potato with legs.

“Never in my life, in my 73 years, have I thought I would grow something like this,” Alfred said.

His expects that his wife, Carol, will use the sweet potato to make candy yams for the family at Christmas.