Dayton pulls together to help hospitalized mother

A spaghetti feed will take place Friday to benefit Dayton resident Yvonne Dorado and her family.

Dorado, 21, is a graduate of Dayton High School and the daughter of Linda Dorado, who works at Smith's Food & Drug in Dayton.

Dorado is in the intensive care unit at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Reno after complications during the birth of her son Jan. 16 at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center.

"The family is having to cover a lot of bills, including their motel while they are in Reno," said Kelly Jaklich, family friend and former Smith's manager. "And there will be ongoing costs related to Yvonne's care."

The evening is hosted by Smith's employees and Dayton High School and includes a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. at Dayton High.

Currently, donation jars are placed throughout Dayton. The students at Sutro Ele-mentary School also are hosting a penny drive and other events are being scheduled.

"I've been doing whatever needs to be done," said Sharon May, who is helping coordinate the event. "Talking to people, collecting items for the auction because I've been in Dayton 27 years, my children went to school with Yvonne and Ryan (Yvonne's fiance) and I've known Linda since we moved here. We have a fabulous community and the support has been overwhelming.

"We have amazing young people here, too, who are making sure Ryan is being cared for, and every time I've been at the hospital, there have been no fewer than 50 people in the waiting room, providing support for the family."

Smith's throughout the region and its vendors also have provided everything from beverages to culinary supplies and auction items.

"Smith's vendors and district have been awesome," said Tina Fletcher, human resources manager at Smith's in Carson City. "We sent out an e-mail to all our store directors asking for donations and everyone has come together."

Fletcher added Pioneer Crossing Casino in Dayton is providing the meat sauce for the dinner, as well as meeting space and that the employees have all personally donated.

"At times like this we realize that we are the community," Fletcher said, adding the local Girl Scouts will help with cleanup during Friday's benefit.

Anyone wanting to volunteer is asked to come to the high school after 4:30 p.m. when setup begins. Those with silent auction donations are asked to call May at 775-980-9288 or drop your donation off at the customer service counter at Smith's in Dayton or Carson City by noon on Friday.

Tickets cost $5 per plate and are available in advance at Smith's in Dayton or at the door. It includes spaghetti, salad, bread and a drink. The DHS culinary class is providing dessert.

The silent auction and 50/50 raffle take place following dinner.

An account also has been set up at Greater Nevada Credit Union under the name Yvonne Dorado, account number 911874. Donations of any size are appreciated, Jaklich said, and can be made at any Greater Nevada Credit Union branch.

"While there are immediate financial concerns, we don't know what long-term care for Yvonne looks like," she said. "People have been very generous and it is greatly appreciated."