The 2019 Wild Game Feed raises more than $21,000

The 2019 Wild Game Feed benefit event raised more than more than $21,000 for two people fighting leukemia — Eatonville high school student Anthony Bacon and Eatonville native Sonja Jacobi.

"Seeing everybody in a small community like Eatonville coming out to help locals is great," said Cole Stover, one of the event organizers. "Last year, we raised $9,000 for a woman with breast cancer, so to jump from $9,000 to 21,000 is huge."

Jacobi, who currently lives in Tenino, said she was blown away by the support offered to her and Bacon through the Wild Game Feed.

"It's a huge blessing for the community to have such a good fundraiser," Jacobi said. "It just turned out absolutely amazing."

The event boasted a meal and auction where the organizers sold outdoorsy items donated by local businesses and companies abroad. For example, an African safari was one of the packages offered up at auction.

Stover said the the annual event wasn't just a sale — it was a community gathering opportunity.

"We came together for a potluck," Stover said. "A lot of outdoorsmen and people from the community all came together and shared stories, then antlers were shown from each of their kills."

The $21,000 raised was split evenly between Bacon and Jacobi.

Jenn Matthews, Bacon's mother, said that her family has been living in an RV, and that Bacon deserves more space and comfort than he is currently getting.

"We are trying to purchase a home for him." Mathews said. "He needs room."

Jacobi said she would be using the money to supplement travel to and from Seattle and to help alleviate the financial burden of her treatment.

Ultimately, both parties said they were grateful for the fundraiser and will do their part to give back and help the event bless more people in years to come.