THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 27, 1994 TAG: 9410260164
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JODY R. SNIDER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
The list of friends for Jason Holt's auction is becoming a celebrity showcase.
Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has signed a pendant to be auctioned, there's a hat signed by Dwight Stone of the Pittsburgh Steelers, two baseballs signed by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda and a video and photo signed by country music superstar Reba McEntire.
And, oh, yes, an 8-week-old pot-bellied pig also will go on the block at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Isle of Wight Rescue Squad on South Church Street.
But that's only a fraction of the items that have poured in to help pay for 4-year-old Jason's mounting medical bills.
The son of Smithfield Police officer Scott Holt and his wife, Melinda, Jason was diagnosed in September with Burkitt's lymphoma, a cancer that spreads very rapidly through the lymph glands.
Jason is undergoing intensive chemotherapy at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk.
Smithfield Police spokeswoman Jimmie Garner said about 500 auction items have come in. Several local businesses have donated new items. And local restaurants and stores have donated gift certificates.
Local residents have been asked to donate lightly used items, such as furniture.
Garner said she hopes the auction will raise $10,000 toward Jason's medical bills.
In addition to the auction, a 5K run is planned at 8 a.m., Nov. 5, at Underwood Lane and Main Street in Smithfield. Check-in time is 7 a.m. Cost is $15. Age groups: Male and female 35 and under and male and female 35 and up. Preregister at the Smithfield Police Department. MEMO: For more information on fund-raising events for Jason, call 357-3247. by CNB