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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
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Benefit Raises Nearly $11,500 for Mount, Shepard
ANNA—As one of the victims of a brutal beating at a church in Union County was taken out of intensive care at hospital in St. Louis, her neighbors in Anna were busy raising money on her behalf.
First Baptist Church pastor Tony Foeller says Leona Mount's condition was upgraded Tuesday evening.
He reports that Mary Shepard, the other woman attacked on September 28, is recovering at home and anxious to get back to work.
It seems the entire town of Anna has been following their recovery. Tuesday night many of those people showed up for a benefit at the McDonald’s on Vienna Street. They raised almost $11,500 to help the Mount and Shepard families.
The drive-through line was backed up out of the parking lot and onto the road.
"I waited for about 30 minutes, but it's worth it," said Troy Wiseman of Anna.
"We decided no matter how [long the line] was to go ahead and wait. It's such a good cause," said Christina Turner of Anna.
"The more people we feed, the more money we raise and the more we can give to Leona and Mary. We're just hoping we're crazy busy, all night,” said Short Enterprises spokeswoman Christina Turner.
The restaurant was “crazy busy” from the get go.
Leslie Treat and her group from Dongola made it a point to get to the fundraiser at the very beginning.
"We were trying to get here to get in line because we have a ball game to get to," Treat said.
Every penny of proceeds from sales between 4 and 8 p.m. on Tuesday will go the families, so it came as no surprise to store owner Dean Short that the place was packed.
"There isn't a person in this community that didn't have a tear in their eye when they found out what had happened," Short said.
"It was wrong what the man did to [them] and I just want to show my support," said Lisa Jones of Cobden.
That support flowed out the front door and the women's pastor says they'll be moved.
"I think they're going to think it's awesome,” Foeller said.
By Dana Jay
djay@wsiltv.com
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