Published: September 28, 2009 07:31 pm      

Benefit to assist Jones family

SIDELL — An autographed basketball by the 2004 Fighting Illini and coach Bruce Weber and an Illini football signed by coach Ron Zook are among the items to be auctioned Saturday.

A benefit for the Jeff Jones family of Sidell is being planned at Jamaica High School, according to a press release. Starting at 4 p.m. a chicken and noodle dinner will be served for a freewill donation.

Jeff Jones, 45, of Sidell was seriously injured at his workplace on July 25. He recently has been released from the hospital but still is going to rehab three times a week. His doctors have told him that it will be at least six more months before he will be able to return to work.

Jones is at home now with his wife, Tralisa, and children, Emily, 21, Hillary, 17, Gabby, 3, and Bubby, 19 months.

An auction consisting of three categories of items for sale will be in the school gym. First category will consist of hobbies and crafts, autographed memorabilia — signed Illini basketballs, for example — theme baskets, gift certificates and other items.

The second will be outdoor items such as tools, wagons, antiques or collectables, water hose and other merchandise. A third will be for bake sale items.

Anyone wishing to donate an item for this auction, or need more information, call Bill Puckett, 288-9222, Betty Snack, 288-9237 or Sharon Riggle, 288-9076.

An account has been set up at the Sidell State Bank. Anyone wishing to donate directly to the fund can go to the bank and make your check payable to Jeff Jones.