Next month the residents of the City of St. Clairsville, surrounding communities, and all members of Buckeye Nation will have the opportunity to come together to support one of their own.
On February 25 starting at 6 p.m., the Avery Henry Fundraising Event will take place at the J.B. Martin Recreation Center, adjacent to Red Devil Stadium.
All proceeds of the benefit will go to benefit Avery Henry’s family for medical and travel costs associated with the former Red Devil all-Ohioan’s fight against osteosarcoma. Henry is currently a freshman at The Ohio State University and a member of the Buckeyes’ football team.
A group of community members in St. Clairsville came together to organize the event and approached the city’s rec department and its director Eric Gay about hosting the event at the rec center.
“They approached us about holding the event and we were more than happy to do it,” Gay said Thursday morning. “It’s a joint effort between members of the community and us in holding this event. This isn’t the rec department or the city putting it on, but a group of citizens wanting to do it.”
Gay noted the community members in charge of putting on the event didn’t wish for their names to be publicized, but rather let Gay serve as the public face and promoter of the event. That’s fine by Gay.
Aside from being a St. C. alum himself, Gay’s had the privilege of working with and getting to know Henry close over the years, including as one of the coaches on the Red Devils’ football team.
“This fundraiser hits awfully close to home since I’ve coached football and basketball at the school and worked with Avery and sometimes feels like I’ve spent more time around him than my own family at times,” Gay said. “I’m very excited that we’re going to be able to host and I’m going to be there, helping as much as I can with the event.”
The cost to attend the fundraiser is $30 for couples and $15 for singles. There will be a bevy of events, including a Cornhole Tournament, 50/50 raffle, and Chinese Auction, as well as live music provided by rising country music artist Gage Joseph.
There will also be a Paint-N-Sip provided by Hot Mess Studio for an additional charge.
Snacks will be provided, and attendees will be encouraged to bring their drinks. Gay said events get underway at 6 p.m. with the end time still a question mark, depending on event participation.
Gay is looking for a big turnout.
“I foresee this being a really big thing,” Gay said. “I hope the public understands what it’s for. Our space (at the rec center) is what it is, but we’ll pack them in here and we’re hoping for a great turnout.”
An Unexpected Announcement
The Thursday before Christmas, Henry made the unexpected announcement on his Twitter account.
It was December 22nd, and, while his family already knew of his diagnosis of osteosarcoma – a type of bone cancer that primarily affects teenagers and young adults – he let the rest of the world know that his battle had only just begun.
“I will fight this! I’ve never been a statistic and I never will!” Henry declared on his Twitter page.
Anyone who knows Henry knows that’s a statement you can put money behind. Henry is one hard-working individual, and he’s just as humble as he is determined.
Henry is an imposing physical specimen at 6-foot-6 and roughly 305 pounds. But during his sophomore season, the Devils’ two-way lineman was even larger at around 400 pounds. Knowing he and his body were capable of greater things, Henry went to work getting in the best possible shape.
He changed his eating habits, hit the weights and cardio with abandon, and shed nearly 100 pounds, dropping to 305 whilst also adding muscle, speed, and agility.
Also in the process, Henry opted to further challenge himself by accepting an offer to play for the Buckeyes after initially committing to Iowa State in the Big 12.
“I’ve never seen a kid work so hard to transform himself to get to where he is now,” Gay said. “The dedication that he put in between his junior and senior football seasons, I’ve never seen it. He lost like 80 pounds and just looked like a totally different person.”
It’s that kind of determination that will aid Henry in his fight against cancer. The fundraising event will give city residents and beyond a chance to join Henry in this fight.
