Lifelong local Marion County resident Dawn Schwingel, 46, has had her share of health woes lately. In April, Dawn was admitted to Shands Hospital in Gainesville with a series of serious health issues. She remained in the hospital for over a month, got a short reprieve, and hoped to recover and be fine. Unfortunately, that was not the case, and Dawn was readmitted to Shands Hospital just a few short weeks later with what seems to be unrelated issues to her first visit. Dawn is still at Shands, and her family, friends, and even strangers have come together to help her with her massive medical bills and living expenses while she recovers.
Dawn’s family organized a fundraiser, hoping that Dawn might be able to make an appearance on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Good Time Bar and Grill at 8921 E Hwy 25 in Belleview, where Dawn had worked for several years as a cook.
Unfortunately, that was not possible, but Dawn was very much on everyone’s minds and in everyone’s hearts.
The fundraiser started at noon and continued into the evening. Good Time Bar and Grill hosted a Mop and Broom Pool Tournament, where participants forgo the standard pool stick and shoot pool with a mop or a broom. The event was a lot of fun and brought many laughs. The winner was 13-year-old James Seiden.
The Karaoke Contest began at 2:30 PM and featured many great singers. Rodney Porter won the contest and generously donated his winnings to benefit Dawn. There were also raffle baskets where you could buy tickets and put as many tickets as you liked into the baskets you wanted to win. Family and friends of Dawn provided a meal of smoked chicken leg quarters, cooked on-site, along with two sides and a dinner roll, all for just $8.00. Dennis Carroll and his son, Noah, smoked the chicken for most of the day, and approximately 150 meals were sold. Additionally, there was a 50/50 drawing. In total, $1,800 was raised to benefit Dawn Schwingel. Dawn and her family thank the community for coming together to help.
Lori and Brad Reynolds check out all the baskets, donated members of the community at Good Time Bar and Grill on Sunday, June 23. The couple put tickets in each basket that they wanted to win to help a local friend, Dawn Schwingel, in her time of need.
From left, Dawn’s Aunt Teresa Schwingel, her sister-in-law Sonseeahray Schwingel and her Aunt Donna Ihde, all came to show support.
A friendly rivalry had Brad Reynolds, in the background with the mop, rooting for Trip Robertson, 8, at the table shooting with the broom at Good Time Bar and Grill on Sunday, June 23. The fun was to benefit Dawn Schwingel during her lengthy illness.
Twin brothers, Max, shooting with the broom and James Seiden, holding the mop, both 13, enjoyed their first Mop and Broom Tournament. James won the tournament!
Noah Carroll, along with his Dad, Dennis, smoked the chicken leg quarters all day, on Sunday, June 23, 2024 in the heat and sometimes the rain. The guys helped out at Good Time Bar and Grill to show support for friend, Dawn Schwingel and her family.
Ken and Sue Cordle show off their tickets for the 50/50 drawing on Sunday, June 23, to benefit Dawn Schwingel, who has had a host of serious medical issues over the last 2 months. A benefit with something for everyone was held at Good Time Bar and Grill, where Dawn worked for several years.
