Submitted Photo On Sunday, Aug. 25, the Dunkirk American Legion Post 62 will be hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit Rhonda Daminski as she battles with cancer.

Fifteen bucks and an appetite is all you need to make a difference for a woman who could use some support.

On Sunday, Aug. 25, the Dunkirk American Legion Post 62 will be hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit Rhonda Daminski as she battles with cancer.

Daminski is described by friends and family as a caring and pure-hearted woman who lights up every room she walks into, even despite the health challenges she currently faces. “Rhonda is a selfless person,” said Ginger Farnham Pokoj, her close friend and organizer of the fundraiser. “She’s a wonderful person.”

Daminski is heavily involved with her parish, while also serving the community as a friendly face at Dr. Robert Zimmer’s podiatry practice for many years. She has also been a strong supporter of veterans in the region.

“She’s just an amazing, giving, very humble person,” Farnham Pokoj said.

Last fall, Daminski began to feel like something wasn’t right. Within weeks of seeking medical attention, Daminski was diagnosed with stomach cancer last November.

In December, Daminski began chemotherapy treatment. She underwent surgery in March, but it was discovered that the cancer had spread throughout her abdomen. She remains on chemotherapy without an end date in sight.

Even with such a challenging diagnosis, Daminski’s spirit has not faded. Her friends and family say she still presents herself in the most positive and optimistic ways, continuing to light up the room whenever she walks in.

Daminski’s friends and family are doing their part to help through hosting a spaghetti fundraiser at the Dunkirk American Legion to help with the accumulating medical costs, including any future treatment costs or surgeries.

Farnham Pokoj first brought the idea of a fundraiser event to Daminski in the early months of her battle, but she initially shot the idea down.

“She said there’s so many other people that need it,” Farnham Pokoj said. But when she asked later on, Daminski finally agreed.

The event begins at 1 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 25 at the post at 211 Central Ave., Dunkirk. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the VFW located on Deer Street or at Lil’ Ginger’s Deli located on Central Avenue. The event features live music, a door prize, an auction and a 50/50 raffle.

Hosts of the benefit are seeking donations in the form of baskets to be raffled, gift certificates, door prizes, and monetary contributions to cover the cost of the event.

Gift baskets, certificates, and door prizes may be dropped off at the Dunkirk VFW Post 1017 at 113 Deer St. in Dunkirk and/or Lil’ Ginger’s Deli located at 131 Central Ave. in Dunkirk. For items that need to be picked up, contact Ginger Farnham Pokoj at (716) 413-6992 or Michelle Carpenter Cambria at (716) 410-3431.