Meat shoot fundraiser for Iron Workers Local 396 sister set for March 9

Can’t make it? Donate to her GoFundMe account

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Correspondent

When Iron Workers Local 396 members Ron “Chewy” Jarvis and Aurora Bihler found out that a fellow Iron Worker sister’s cancer had returned, they knew they had to do something.

To help Sister Tracy Cannovo, Jarvis and Bihler have set up a meat shoot fundraiser on Saturday, March 9. Money raised from the event will help offset Cannovo’s daily expenses, cost-of-living and medical bills so she can focus on getting well.

Cannovo, a Local 396 member for over 20 years, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2016. Last November, she was finally able to ring the bell at the hospital signaling the end of treatment and the beginning of a cancer-free life. She recently learned the cancer was back, fueling an immediate need for treatment.

“Tracy is a hard worker and a genuine person who would always help out with whatever you needed,” said Jarvis, who serves on the Local 396 executive board. “She’s can’t work because she’s undergoing treatment. It’s just terrible when bad things happen to good people.”

Bihler, a Local 396 journeywoman, said Cannovo was the first woman she encountered on the job. Bihler was a new apprentice working on the Daniel Boone Bridge project. While waiting for her assignment, she sat down on a piece of iron. Cannovo noticed Bihler and stopped to talk to her.

“She walked over and said, ‘What are you doing sitting down? You never sit down on the job. You always have to be doing something, especially since you are a woman,” Bihler said. “I was so green I didn’t know. She really helped me out.”

The March 9 meat shoot fundraiser will be held at the Epiphany of Our Lord Parish at 6596 Smiley Ave. in St. Louis. Doors open at noon and the event, which includes a silent auction, gift baskets and a 50-50 raffle, begins at 1 p.m. Children are welcome, and there is no entry fee. The only charge is per shot for the meat shoot.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To RSVP for the event, visit facebook.com/events/2226284474287670/. For more information or to sponsor a round, call Jarvis at 314-744-0858 or email him at chewyiw396@aol.com or call Bihler at 815-603-4639 or email her at aurora.bihler@gmail.com.

TO DONATE

For those who can’t attend the event but would like to make a donation, Jarvis and Bihler have set up a GoFundMe account.