More than 450 spaghetti with meatball meals were served to people attending a benefit supper and auction Thursday in honor of Grand Forks County Sheriff's Department Maj. Mike Fonder.
Fonder, a 29-year veteran with the office, is battling esophageal and stomach cancer. He attended Thursday's event.
The attendees included sheriffs from Grand Forks, Pembina, Walsh, Cass and Nelson counties stopped by, according to Bridgie Hansen, one of the event organizers. Hansen is the Grand Forks juvenile detention center administrator.
The event was a result of the combined effort of Grand Forks County departments and generous donations from the community, Hansen said.
Money raised will go to Fonder to pay for medical expenses or any other need he may have, said Larry Hoffman with the Grand Forks Sheriff's Office.
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"He's an inspiration," Hoffman said of Fonder. "He shows up for work every day, He's not letting it hold him down."
Susanne Nadeau covers crime and courts for the Herald. Reach her at 780-1118; (800) 477-6572, ext. 118; or snadeau@gfherald.com .
