It sounded like any other high school basketball game. But, with just a glance at the sea of yellow, you knew it was different.
"This is an important thing for our community and our school district," said Marion Superintendent Adam Shaw. "Obviously, having a child diagnosed with such a terrible disease. (It's about) what we can do as a community to give back to that person in a time of need."
The little boy Shaw is talking about is Issac Thompson, a four-year-old local who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia two days before Christmas.
"That's kind of like your own family that something has happened to," said Shaw. "It's been a difficult road, but we're trying to do as much as we canto support him."
"Our Super Hero" t-shirts, a raffle at the game, and an upcoming spaghetti dinner are just a few ways the Marion community is using to raise money for Issac and his family. In just six weeks, they've raised nearly $11,000.
"It affects our small community," said Shaw. "We're very grateful we've had people come out and support this. It's just outstanding."
"It feels good to give back to a friend," added Thomas Gors, a Marion fifth-grader.
Issac is hoping to have a bone marrow transplant this spring. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy in Minneapolis. If you'd like to make a donation to the Thompson family, contact the Farmer's State Bank in Marion.
