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COOLEEMEE – When a neighbor is in need, this community comes together.

A bake sale and raffle will be held on Saturday, March 16 beginning at 9 a.m. in the Cooleemee Shopping Center parking lot to benefit Dean McSwain.

Late last month, McSwain, the sole mechanic at Village Auto Center on NC 801 in Cooleemee, fell and suffered a concussion that has put him out of commission, with double vision and other discomforts that are taking a toll on his life and his family.

McSwaim has helped almost everyone in town over the decades he worked as the mechanic at Village Auto.

When money was tight, he found ways to work with his neighbors. When someone was in need, he was always ready to help.  As honest as the day is long, McSwaim was someone everybody in town knew they could trust and count on.  Rich, poor, old or young, he was always there to help

“Dean has always been a helping to hand to anyone on town that had a need,” said Judy Webb, one of the organizers of Saturday’s event. “In all my years in Cooleemee I’ve heard nothing but praise and thankfulness for Dean and I’m glad to hear the community coming together to help someone in need.”

She is working with Hellen Daywalt, Arlene Anderson, Jessica Almond, Jeanie Taylor and others to put this benefit together.

There are several ways to help. First, bake one of those favorite dishes or desserts to donate to the bake sale.  If you aren’t a baker, search for something to donate for a raffle.

But most of all, come out and join us on Saturday, March 16 to buy something or make a donation.

To donate baked goods or raffle items, or for more information, contact Webb at (336) 284-2758 or Almond at (336) 284-6070.