Lemon-aid for one worthy volunteer

NEW CASTLE, Del. - August 5, 2009 Some New Castle girls have been raising money the old fashioned way, one cup at a time. With every penny going to 43-year-old Robert Finnimore.

For 2 months, Finnimore has been in a hospital fighting for his life against acute leukemia.

9-year-old Taylor Trent's father works with Finnimore.

"I feel so bad for him cause he's so sick," Taylor said.

"Nobody likes to be in the hospital and I think they'd like to get up and be able to do things with their children, too," 10-year-old Logan O'Neill said.

"I can't tell you how good that makes me feel that somebody would do something like that for us," Robin, Robert's wife, said.

Robin, mother of Robert's three children, one of who is mentally challenged and having a tough time without dad around, which is reason enough for these guys to get to work

Coworkers at Delaware's Department of Transportation also decided to scrape together money to help the Finnimores, especially since he's known for helping others around him

"This isn't him. He doesn't like to be sitting still not doing anything. He'd much rather be on the other end helping people," Robin said.

When Finnimore isn't working at DelDOT or at home with his family, he's at the Wilmington Manor Fire Company working as a volunteer firefighter; that's why it seemed only fitting to hold a beef and beer fundraiser here on August 22because this time it's Robert who needs the help.

"We feel this is our family. We want to try to do this for his family now," Mike Pierce of DelDOT said.

The Beef and Beer charity event will be held on Saturday, August 22 at the Wilmington Manor Fire Company. DelDOT is asking for any donated items that could be used in a silent auction or as a raffled item.

Any donations should be sent in care of Mike Pierce at 112 Hunting Way Smyrna, DE 19977.

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