Inaugural mayoral breakfast to benefit Eric Gregg
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Community members Dale Fowler and Verlinda Henshaw, along with their mayoral breakfast committee, are in the process of organizing a breakfast 8 a.m. June 23 at the Southeastern Illinois College Foundation Center to benefit Harrisburg Mayor Eric Gregg, who was recently hospitalized for an illness.
"In his selflessness with all the work he did through the course of the tornado, he neglected himself," said Henshaw. "Many people don't realize this was life-threatening."
Gregg was in the hospital for 23 days after he found out he had a perforated colon from diverticulitis, leading to two surgeries. Henshaw said that when his colon burst, it spread a serious bacterial infection throughout Gregg's body.
Fowler and Henshaw said the massive medical expenses and loss of work for both Gregg and his wife has created a financial burden for them.
"It's the least we can do for him," said Fowler. "The amount of time Eric put in after the tornado disaster is just incredible. And he did an amazing job representing the city."
Fowler said he and Gregg had been talking about starting a charity mayoral breakfast for several years. After Gregg came down with the illness, Henshaw contacted Fowler about holding a fundraiser and Fowler thought it was the perfect opportunity to hold the inaugural mayoral breakfast which they hope to make an annual event.
"It just so happens the first Saline County Mayoral Breakfast will benefit Mayor Eric Gregg," said Fowler. "This is an incredible way to kick off this annual event."
All mayors in the county will be invited to speak at the breakfast, and the committee hopes to donate proceeds to a different cause each year.
"We could spread the money throughout the county to whoever might need the help," said Fowler.
They do not plan to sell tickets for the event - donations will be accepted at the door. The committee expects that sponsors will cover the initial cost of the breakfast. Businesses or individuals looking to be a sponsor or donate to the event can send a check to Mayoral Breakfast, General Delivery, Harrisburg. Those wishing to make a tax-exempt donation can mail a check to The First Presbyterian Church, 34 W. Poplar St., with "mayoral breakfast" written in the memo portion of the check. For additional information, the committee can be contacted at the Fowler-Bonan Foundation at (618) 231-3904.
"Instead of having just a fundraiser, this is something that can carry on," said Henshaw.
The buffet-style breakfast, catered by Morello's, is planned to run from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a presentation around 9 a.m.
Fowler said several state officials, along with members of the national media, are planning to attend the event. He also said Gregg was surprised to learn members of the community were planning a fundraiser in his honor.
"He was extremely humbled by it," said Fowler. "But he's also excited for the plan to come to fruition. We hope it's a huge success."
"I told him, we're not doing anything for you that you wouldn't do for someone else," said Fowler.