Fundraiser 'rocked the house' for transplant candidate

Decades Bar and Grill held its first Rock 'n' Roll Hullabaloo fundraiser Saturday, a benefit created to help members of the community in need, and the results exceeded expectations.

"It was so much more successful than we thought it would be," said Rod Fox, who co-owns Decades Bar and Grill with his wife, Jen. "It made me feel great to be part of this community."

The recipient of the first fundraiser was Ron Toews, 51, of Carson City, who has been diagnosed with hepatitis C and is in need of a liver transplant. Proceeds will help Toews with medical expenses, which are around $100,000.

"There were so many people who showed up," said Mikki Toews, Ron's wife. "At one point I think there were 600 people.

The event included a barbecue, golf tournament, silent auction, several live bands and a classic car show.

There were 49 golfers and 49 classic cars, said Teri Norgrove, one of the organizers.

Norgrove said between $15,000 and $20,000 was raised for Toews, who also performed with his own blues/southern rock band " The Ron Toews All Star Band. His stepson Jake, 17, performed with him.

It was the first time the two performed together.

"My mom had tears in her eyes, then I had tears in my eyes," Jake said.

Ron's words to the community were simple and straightforward " "thank you," he said.

Unfortunately, someone attending the fundraiser stole one of the auction items " a Dale Earnhardt Sr. racing jacket. Cash was also taken from a donation jar.

"Tables were crammed with stuff, and we had people watching them," Norgrove said. "But this one got away."

Norgrove said it gave her chills to see Toews and his stepson perform together.

"It was crazy," she said. "They rocked the house. Ron and his band were phenomenal.

Norgrove thanked the Foxes for putting on the fundraiser, and said they even had a celebrity visit.

"We even asked Nevada's first lady Dawn Gibbons to attend, and she did. She talked to the crowd and sat with Ron for quite some time talking to him."

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

There were 49 golfers and 49 classic cars, said Teri Norgrove, one of the organizers.

Norgrove said between $15,000 and $20,000 was raised for Toews, who also performed with his own blues/southern rock band " The Ron Toews All Star Band. His stepson Jake, 17, performed with him.

It was the first time the two performed together.

"My mom had tears in her eyes, then I had tears in my eyes," Jake said.

Ron's words to the community were simple and straightforward " "thank you," he said.

Unfortunately, someone attending the fundraiser stole one of the auction items " a Dale Earnhardt Sr. racing jacket. Cash was also taken from a donation jar.

"Tables were crammed with stuff, and we had people watching them," Norgrove said. "But this one got away."

Norgrove said it gave her chills to see Toews and his stepson perform together.

"It was crazy," she said. "They rocked the house. Ron and his band were phenomenal.

Norgrove thanked the Foxes for putting on the fundraiser, and said they even had a celebrity visit.

"We even asked Nevada's first lady Dawn Gibbons to attend, and she did. She talked to the crowd and sat with Ron for quite some time talking to him."

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.