BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — Hundreds of local community members showed support for a Tionesta man, his late fiancée, and their late daughter at a benefit dinner held on October 22 at the Brookville Fireman’s Club.

(Pictured above: Ron Pacsai, seated center, visits with friends and community members during a benefit event held in his honor.)

The benefit was held for Ron Pacsai and his fiancée, the late Cheyenne Nicole Snyder, and their late daughter Dixie.

DelGrosso Foods donated 500 spaghetti dinners, with other organizations pitching in money for an additional 400 dinners. Private citizens baked desserts for the event, and over 250 Chinese auction items were donated.

“It was an amazing show of love and support for Ron and Cheyenne’s families,” said Michele Wright, a family friend and president of the Friends of Christian organization. “The Pacsai family would like to thank the community as a whole for everything they did.”

Although a final number has yet to be released, Wright said a “very good amount” of money was raised during the event, with donations continuing to pour in.

Snyder, Pacsai, and their month-old daughter Dixie were the victims of a September 25 crash on Route 36 in Eldred Township, Jefferson County.

Snyder, 24, of Tionesta, died on-scene as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

Dixie died on Saturday, October 1, due to complications from an upper body injury sustained during the accident.

Pacsai, 33, also of Tionesta, suffered severe injuries for which he has received extensive treatment.

Pacsai was treated at UPMC Presbyterian for extensive lower body injuries that will require months of rehabilitation.

He has begun physical therapy and is now able to use a wheelchair.

Pacsai attended the October 22 event for several hours.

“It did him a lot of good emotionally,” Wright commented. “He’s getting stronger every day.”

Wright said Pacsai has a long road ahead of him, but community support has been beneficial to his recovery process.

“His spirit overall — of course he still feels the loss of Cheyenne and Dixie every day — but the show of love and support from everybody who was there that night just touched him so deeply,” Wright said.

Wright thanked all volunteers who contributed to the event and recognized Friends of the Flag, which presented Pacsai with an American flag.

Other contributors included:

• Bikers for a Cause — comprised of Friends of the Flag, Friends of Christian, LLC, A.B.A.T.E. organizations of Clarion, Jefferson and Elk Counties and Red Knights of DuBois
• Vinny’s Pizza and Bar
• County Seat
• Clarion and Brookville Subway restaurants
• Mike’s Super Market in Brookville
• TA Brookville
• Pilot Truck Stop in Brookville

“Everybody that came and even spent a dollar of their hard-earned money should know that the monies raised are going to go a long way to really getting Ron back on his feet and helping him to move through this tragedy and recover without the financial stress of not being able to work,” Wright said. “Thank you does not seem enough, but thank you is all we have right now.”

To donate, checks can be made out to Friends of Christian, LLC, memo: “Benefit of Pacsai/Snyder Fundraiser.” Checks can be sent to 124 King Road, Knox, Pa. 16232.

Proceeds will help offset funeral and medical expenses.

(Video courtesy of Jenni Allshouse)