Pancakes for Quintin

• Quintin

Caring bridge website Baby Quintin is shown here before a June 24 surgery.

Talk about it

HERON LAKE — The community of Heron Lake is banding together to help one of its newest additions.

Little Quintin Willhite, born June 2 at Windom Area Hospital, has already faced more than his share of challenges. But community members are finding a way to give the infant a fighting chance.

A Pancake Breakfast Benefit for Quintin will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Heron Lake-Okabena Elementary School in Heron Lake.

Attendees can enjoy pancakes, sausage and beverages served by members of the Heron Lake Fire Department; free will donations will be collected to assist with the family’s medical expenses.

“A friend of mine, Carol Wagner, and I started talking and said we should do something to help,” explained Pat Stenzel, one of the event organizers.

Quintin is the son of Jason and Misty of Heron Lake and the grandson of Melvin and Bev Willhite, Lamberton; and Paul and Jean Leopold, who own P-J’s Mini Mart in Heron Lake. He was born with an esophagus that does not attach to his stomach and Tetralogy of Fallot, a heart condition characterized by holes in the heart.

“Paul and Jean … have donated to everything possible that was ever going on in the community, so we wanted to do something for them,” Stenzel added.

Volunteers from area churches have also pitched in to help with setup and cleanup; and folks from surrounding communities have donated more than 80 items for a silent auction, set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Among items up for bid are gift certificates, themed baskets, jewelry, Timberwolves tickets and children’s bicycles.

“When we look around at our own families and see how well our children are. … This little guy needs a lot of prayers and support,” Stenzel said. “We need to look deep into our hearts.”

To donate items to the silent auction, call Stenzel at (507) 830-0586. Donations may also be sent to First State Bank of Okabena, P.O. Box 67, Okabena, MN 56161; or Commercial Bank of Minnesota, P.O. Box 258, Heron Lake, MN 56137.

Tags: heron lake, news, fundraiser, pancakes, quintin, willhite