Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 20, 1993 TAG: 9308200194
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NARROWS LENGTH: Medium
The mayor and Town Council of Narrows have declared Saturday "Jeff Fisher Day" to help the 29-year-old former town employee and volunteer fireman, who is gravely ill with cancer. The money raised will help pay medical bills for Fisher, who has been sick for about a year.
"We think it's great," his mother, Emogene Fisher, said.
Jeff Fisher, a father of three - including a four-month-old son, Jordan - said Thursday that he is grateful for the support and the assistance. He said there is not much money left after his $460-per-month health-insurance premium is paid. His wife, Tabby, works part-time as a home health aide. The couple has been married two years.
"It's pretty hard to get through these times and pay the other bills," he said. "It's a big help to me, knowing I've got some good friends willing to help out."
He estimated that he has possibly $4,000 in outstanding medical bills, "maybe more."
Right now, he said he does what he can to "keep my mind off things," but gets weak if he tries to do too much. He said his 10-year-old son, Scott, from a previous marriage, has been helping to care for the baby while his wife is at work.
Fisher said that while the disease has weakened him and medical treatments have been unsuccessful, his faith is strong.
"I'm relying in the good Lord above for everything now," he said.
Town Police Chief Buck Clemons described Fisher as a tireless worker who still had time to help out with local volunteer projects, including a project to repair the Mill Creek dam following a flood.
He said that when Fisher was well he would rise early to deliver newspapers, then work for the town during the day, and then mow lawns and do other odd jobs evenings.
"He was all the time staying busy or helping people," Clemons said.
Several daytime activities are scheduled in front of Old Narrows High School for Jeff Fisher Day. There will be a bake sale, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and several bands - including The Silver Eagle Band, Ivory Night and Southern Country - will perform.
In case of rain, all activities will be moved inside Old Narrows High School.
Evening events at Narrows Town Park start at 5 and will include an auction of donated items as well as more live musical performances from area bands right up until midnight.
Set to appear are country-rock bands Split Second, Bad Habitz and Shadow Riders.
Judy Richardson and Blue Rose Band also are on the schedule, along with country band Good Time Express.
Send donations to the Jeff Fisher Fund to First Virginia Bank Southwest, 300 Main St., Narrows, Va. 24124-1317, Attention: Drema Hayes.
by CNB