Dinner benefits Lancaster Twp.football family
LANCASTER TWP — The McGonigal family will be celebrating their first Christmas without beloved father and husband Tim, but their friends in the Seneca Valley Junior Football Association North are trying to ease the financial burden of the holidays for the grieving family.
The junior football association organized a spaghetti dinner on Dec. 3 at the Zelienople American Legion to benefit the Lancaster Township family.
Mandi Yeager, event coordinator and secretary with the association, said it was the least they could do for the family that has been heavily involved with the group for years.
“He helped paint the field or cheer the boys on,” Yeager said of Tim McGonigal. “He never missed a practice, never missed a game. He was just an all-around great guy.”
The McGonigal family has been involved with the junior football association for the last six years as both boys, Dace, 17, and Aiden, 12, played the game, Yeager said. This was Aiden's senior year in the association before he aged-out.
Melinda McGonigal said her husband was looking forward to seeing Aiden play this season.
“Even the first few practices, Aiden would turn around and look to the bleachers to see if he was there or not,” Melinda McGonigal said.
Yeager said at the association's senior night, the last home football game of the season, they organized a surprise balloon release and moment of silence in memory of Tim as he could not be on the field with his wife and son as the other senior players were honored.
Tim McGonigal, 44, was killed in an ATV accident on July 11 just down the road from his home. His obituary noted his love of fishing, cheering on the Steelers and spending time with his sons. He had been married to Melinda for 19 years.
“He was an amazing husband, an amazing father,” his wife said. “He was an all-around good guy. He would do anything for anybody. He would be the first one for anybody to call if you needed anything. I can't even describe it. He was the best.”
This will be the first holiday season without her husband, who she has known since 11th grade in high school, in about 28 years, Melinda McGonigal said. When she heard about the benefit the association was organizing, she was speechless at the group's generosity and thoughtfulness.
“I am completely blown away,” she said. “I was speechless when I heard they were going to do that, although not surprised.”
Yeager said it's just what you do for your family.
“We're like a family there. That's what we do for each other,” Yeager said. “When another family is in need, we do whatever we can for them,”
The benefit dinner will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Zelienople American Legion. Yeager said they are still looking for baskets to raffle off. If anyone wants to donate, they can contact her at svfootball2010@yahoo.com or 724-504-2806.
For those who cannot make the event, donations can be made to the McGonigal family by mailing checks or cash to 814 Stockton Ridge, Cranberry, PA 16066.
