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A couple weekends before the official start of the holiday season more than 1,200 people showed up for a benefit at the Lent Township Hall for a family coming back from a devastating accident. This benefit for Allen and Nick Tacheny, and additional fundraisers and individual donations, have netted about $40,000.

A family spokesperson said their gratitude is immeasurable during this Thanksgiving season. Nick Tacheny's fiancee Helena Graff said, "Thank you doesn't say just how grateful and blown away we are by everyone's willingness to help. I just can't put it into words."

Benefit volunteer Cristi Tacheny added, "It just amazes me how all of you interrupted your lives to help our family and we will be forever grateful."

Over the last two months "Team Tachney," which is some 200-volunteers strong, has held bake sales, a silent and a live auction, and the Lent Town Hall event to help defray medical expenses and help keep the Tacheny family above water.

Allen and Nick, rural Stacy residents, crashed their small plane in Isanti County September 3.

The father and son are slowly recovering.

Allen resides at Parmly in Chisago City, where he's undergoing therapy and Nick has been able to return home. Father and son did attend the Lent Town Hall event; which included Isanti County Sheriff Russ Monson presenting Nick's twin brother Nate with a Sheriff's Lifesaving Award. Nick penned an e mail which was read by the sheriff as a lead-in to handing over the award, and there wasn't a dry eye in the hall. Nate had rushed to the crash scene, west of North Branch, to help rescue his brother Nick and dad.

The entire Tacheny family acknowledged their Thanksgiving blessings in a big way, encompassing a community of people who care. Said Cristi, "I could say thank you a million times but it still doesn't express how I feel. It's great to see a community pull together even in these tough times. Please know we appreciate you all and will be forever grateful."

The donation fund is still active and maintained at Associated Bank, 38860 10th Avenue, North Branch, MN. Checks for donations should have Tacheny Benefit written in the pay line.

Special credit to Heidi Schauer for photo and information.

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