Chellew benefit coming together

In the planning for only two weeks, the grassroots May 20 fund-raiser for Jason Chellew's family is quickly shaping up as community members rally to help the family. The Chellew family has recently suffered a number of losses, the most significant being the death of Jason Chellew.Chellew, 32, was killed April 21 when a sinkhole opened up under the basement of his Alta home. A Colfax High School graduate, Chellew was a teacher, husband, expectant father, Eagle Scout and former Peace Corps volunteer. "The loss of Jason is a tragedy all in itself," said Richard Ruiz, a family friend and public affairs officer at the California Highway Patrol's Gold Run office. "Combine that with the loss of the family home, the financial obligations that still exist with the home, additional housing expenses and other associated expenses and you can see that the entire family can use all the financial help available."Gold Run California Highway Patrol Squad Club members, neighbors and friends are sponsoring the May 20 fund-raiser. Chellew's father, Jerry Chellew, was a CHP officer who spent 15 years in the Gold Run office. The Chellew family has a history of giving to the community, including Jerry Chellew's involvement in the Gold Run Squad Club, according to Ruiz. The benefit includes a tri-tip dinner, musical entertainment, dance performance, raffle and silent auction. Items for the raffle and silent auction include a one-week rental in Puerto Vallarta, a guitar and piano lessons.Running from 2 to 7 p.m., the benefit includes dinner served from 2 to 6 p.m., a silent auction from 2 to 5 p.m. and the live auction at 6 p.m. Still needed are volunteers who can help secure donation items and sell tickets up to the day of the benefit and others who can help during the event with set-up, serving meals, assisting with the raffle and auctions, and cleanup. Benefit tickets are $20 and are available at the Dutch Flat Trading Post, Gold Run CHP office, Sierra Animal Wellness Center and at the door. One hundred percent of proceeds go to the Chellew Family Fund. For more information about the benefit, to volunteer or donate items for the auction or raffle, call Ruiz at 389-2205. In addition, donations can be made for the Chellew family at any US Bank branch office.