GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — A record store called "Off The Record" was packed on Thursday night with people enjoying music. The man at the center of it all was owner Benji Stone who sang and played guitar for dozens in attendance.
We first introduced you to Benji and his wife Angie back in February when the couple bought the record store. Since then, Angie has passed away after a battle with stage four breast cancer. Thursday night's event was for Angie, and it benefitted "Bucs Pride."
The organization works with Grand Haven High School, hosting Bucs Pride games for every sport at the school. They sell "Bucs Pride" shirts every year and that helps them make a great deal of their money. With that cash, they support cancer patients in a number of ways. They send baskets to people recently diagnosed with cancer, supply patients with snacks when they're going through chemotherapy, and send patients and their families to retreats where they get a temporary reprieve from cancer.
"My dad died of cancer, and I had a 37-year-old daughter that died of cancer. So to me, cancer is real, and for me to do those things, that is my way of giving back to the community and helping those that are battling right now," said board member Sharon Yonker.
Yonker said Thursday night's event came together quickly. She's happy, but not surprised, to see how many people showed up.
"This community is so amazing. If they know what the cause is, they're right there for you. If I say tomorrow I need pillowcases for the family camp, I'll have 120 pillowcases. If they know what you want and what you need, they're more than willing to help," she said.
Bucs Pride will reveal its 2024-25 shirt this Saturday at the Coast Guard Festival Parade. If you'd like one, you can follow the Bucs Pride Facebook page to stay up to date with how to get one. You can also call Yonker at 616-402-1443 to find out how to make a donation.