February 13, 2002

Fund-raiser aids former TC resident

Benefit dinner and auction raise $6,000 for Jim VanAlstine family

By LISA PERKINS
Herald staff writer
Friends and family members of Jim VanAlstine were wishing they could be with him in Houston this past Sunday. Their thoughts, however, certainly were with him when they hosted a spaghetti dinner and silent auction fund-raiser to help out his young family.
VanAlstine, who grew up in Traverse City and graduated from Traverse City High School in 1985 passed away on Monday. He had been diagnosed with colon cancer last May when his wife, Melissa (Bufe') VanAlstine, also a Traverse City native, was seven months pregnant with their second child. The family had been living in Kingwood, Texas, near Houston, for seven years.
The couple's son Noah was born in July, shortly after learning that VanAlstine's cancer was inoperable. The VanAlstine's daughter, Tessa, is six-years-old.
"They have a lot of uncovered medical expenses and expenses in general," said Jim's younger brother Tom who just returned from a month in Mexico with his brother, where he was seeking alternative treatment.
"This is just a very hard time for their family," he said.
More than 200 supporters showed up at the Immanuel Baptist Church Sunday evening to help the family raise $6,000.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation to the family should contact Amy Bitely, 3192 Lamp Post Lane, Traverse City, 49684.