People across the community came together Saturday to support a friend in need.

Vicksburg Elks Lodge No. 95 hosted a lunch and rummage sale to benefit Vicksburg police officer Burt Ryan.

“We just felt it was the right thing to do for one of our fellow Elks,” Exalted Ruler Michael Dorsett said.

Outside a blood truck was set up for donations. Just an hour into the event, 11 units of blood had already been donated, and organizers wanted to see that number double throughout the day. Volunteer Herman Watson stressed the importance of blood donation. He said it is the most important aspect of the benefit because Ryan has to have blood transfusions often.

“That’s what’s keeping him alive,” Watson said. “He’s got to have that every Monday and every Friday. Transfusion is what helps him. This (rummage sale) helps with money, but blood is needed.”

Elks Lodge members Jeff Crevitt and Bill Waddell smoked 80 Boston butts and 630 pounds of pork from 1 a.m. Friday until 6:30 a.m. Saturday. At noon they had sold 660 meal tickets, and they thought they would sell at least a hundred more before the day was over. Crevitt hoped they would have no leftovers.

“Burt’s a good guy and I’d do it again tomorrow for him,” Crevitt said. “I’d like to thank all the people in Warren County that showed up and came in and helped support him.”

Earlier this summer Ryan was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer that causes him to require frequent blood transfusions.

Karen Hasty and Theresa Mayberry, both members of the Moose Lodge, said they bought a plate to support the Elks and their benefit.

“We had one and all the Elks came to us, so we came out here to help them,” Hasty said.

The two lodges support each other frequently. Virginia Weaver is a member of both organizations and she is glad to help out the cause by purchasing a plate. All three women planned to buy some baked goods after lunch.

With tickets $10 each, the lodge raised at least $6,600 on food alone. Volunteer Angela Jackson will figure out the final total raised in the next couple of days.

Dorsett said they had more volunteers than they could name. He said more people showed up to work than had originally signed up. Dorsett was also impressed with the amount of people who came to support the event.

“It’s been a really nice day, a lot of good participation from our Elks and the public too,” Dorsett said.

Jackson wanted to give credit to Southern Cruisers Riding Club chapter 114 and Vicksburg Cruisers for all the work they did to make the benefit possible. Twelve antique vehicles were also parked outside for people to see.

A rummage sale got the day started with various items up for sell. Furniture, clothing, luggage, clocks and other knickknacks were set out across the lodge. Baked goods like cakes and brownies were also available for purchase. In addition to the rummage sale, a raffle was set up for tanning sessions, hats, shirts, haircuts, sunglasses and other items.

Ryan spent weeks in the hospital after his diagnosis and checked back in July 20 for a month of around-the-clock chemotherapy.