TIRO — What started out as a simple birthday party during the Labor Day weekend in 2005, has turned out to be so much more.

As it stands today, it is a weekend party hosted by the Phil and Michelle Feik family at their home, and all proceeds benefit Cade Coffman, a young man who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Cade, the son of Sonya and Toby Coffman, is known for always having a smile on his face and for loving to spend time with his family, which includes his parents and brother Coty.

Some of Cade’s other favorite things include playing poker, euchre, board games and video games, and going to the occasional Pittsburgh Steelers game, as he is a diehard fan.

He is a 2017 graduate of Colonel Crawford High School.

Cade was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy in 2001, when he was just two years old.

“It is a disease that affects your muscles, and he lost the use of his legs, first, and now his arms. He has been in a wheelchair since 6th grade” Sonya said. “Honestly, it feels so remarkable and wonderful every year to see all of the people who show up to not only have fun, but to support Cade. This is not something that we expect. The Feik’s just do this for Cade.

They are truly good people and we appreciate them so much.” Sonya continued. “The support that we have also received from the community and Colonel Crawford has been outstanding. He had a wonderful experience at school, nobody was ever mean to him, they all just accepted him and were kind.”

Labor Day weekend is also known as the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Weekend, so the Feik’s decided that it made sense to turn their party into a fundraiser to help out someone who they care about who is affected by the disease.

“Since we have someone near and dear to us, why not support that? That is why we decided to turn the party into what it is,” Michelle Feik said. “All of the money that we raise from the donation boot on the food table, cornhole and euchre tournaments, raffle, and silent auction all goes to supporting Cade and his family. We love Cade and being able to help him and his family in any way that we can.”

Though Feik Fest, as it is called among the family, is not open to the public, those wishing to donate to the Muscular Dystrophy Association may donate to the annual Fill the Boot fundraiser hosted by the Bucyrus Fire Department and others every Labor Day weekend or donations may be made at www.mda.org.