TOWN OF HIGHLAND, NY — The debrief occurred over breakfast, which seemed fitting since the idea was hatched over omelets and coffee. 

Three friends got together and looked back at the success of an event that could be labeled “monumental.” It’s WATTS Happening took place on March 25, a fundraising breakfast/soup sale/bake sale/raffle extravaganza, which benefitted Rich and Bonnie Watts of Barryville.

On one hand, the organizers marveled at how the community came together to support the Watts family, but on the other hand, it was totally what they had counted on when launching the effort. Their mission had been to be “the hands and feet of Jesus,” and they had full confidence that He would bless their effort. From the get-go, nearly every organization, business and individual contacted threw their support wholeheartedly into the endeavor. The great response made the planning easier and, well, fun. As details fell into place, more than once they said to each other, “Shouldn’t we be more stressed about this?”

Every cost of the event was underwritten by organizations such as Can’t Hurt Steel, Young Life Lake Champion, Eldred Congregational Church and Pond Eddy and Barryville Methodist churches. Pecks of Eldred and Yellow Cottage Bakery of Branchville, NJ (a Watts family favorite) provided the pastries that were part of the all-you-can-eat breakfast. Other breakfast items included scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage patties and French toast sticks served with real maple syrup. 

Yulan Country Kitchen and Young Life donated their expertise and ingredients to provide 24 gallons of delectable Southwest Chicken Chowder, cream of mushroom and minestrone soup, which was available for take-out. A special shout-out is due to Konrad Kovacs and Thomas Hale, the chefs extraordinaire. 

Sweet-toothed customers did not hold back in their generous procurement of pay-what-you-wish bake-sale items. There were enough pastries to put the entire community into a diabetic coma! 

The raffles were a big hit, thanks to the generosity of area businesses that donated gift cards, baskets of their finest wares and services. Practically every restaurant in the area pitched in, as did firewood, vehicle-maintenance, housecleaning, pet-care, river-rafting, yoga, hair-stylist, pharmacy, wine-and-spirits, health-club, car-wash, excavating, engineering, Realtor, legal, golf-course and carpet-cleaning establishments. Many individuals made gift baskets, and Highland Lake’s own Melissa Gilbert donated an autographed copy of her book for the raffle.  

Again, nearly every service organization and business not already contributing to providing products for use or the raffle, made monetary donations that go directly to the Watts family. Checks are still coming in from individual and business donors. The outpouring of support and love has been beyond measure. 

Boy Scouts and leaders from Troop 102 were on hand the day before to set up, after the event to break down and in between to help bus tables and act as food runners. Their attentive and courteous service did not go unnoticed by the guests, and was greatly appreciated by the event organizers. 

There was also a face-painting contest and a candy-delivery opportunity to send a festive get-well card to Rich. 

The Eldred Town Hall was festooned with a balloon arch over the baked goods table, beautiful table flowers donated by Floral Cottage Weddings & Events, and burgundy placemats and cancer-awareness ribbons at each table setting. Burgundy is the color used to bring awareness to multiple myeloma, which is the affliction Rich is battling. 

As the event date approached, the organizers tried to pay no mind to the fact that the weather forecast was less than shining, and indeed, the day did have its share of sleet and rain. But the collective thinking was that the weather actually kept people from engaging in other activities that might have kept them from the event. And if they had not participated, they would have missed out on a great opportunity to come together, share good food and rich conversation, and help a neighbor. 

In all, more than 220 breakfasts were served. Others came to pick up soup or baked goods or to try their hand at raffles, and many, many others dropped off monetary donations and left. The response truly was phenomenal. Because the costs were underwritten by others, every dollar collected went to the Watts family. 

Donations are still being accepted. If you wish to contribute, checks can be made payable to ECC and mailed to Eldred Congregational Church, PO Box 116, Eldred, NY 12732, (Put “Rich Watts” in the memo section) or via VENMO @itswattshappening.

The organizers thank the River Reporter for its help in getting the word out about the event, and are deeply grateful to all who contributed in countless ways to make the event a success. The community did itself proud.