HANCOCK COUNTY, W. Va. (WTRF) - Volunteers with the Oak Glen Jr. Bears and Oak Glen Jr. Matmen have teamed up to show their support for a family fighting an unimaginable battle.
Two-year-old, Neiko Boni, was recently diagnosed with Langerhans Histiocytosis, a rare form of cancer, and will soon begin chemotherapy treatments.
His parents, Keasha and Jake Boni, who are both Steubenville Police officers, are taking extended leave from their public service duties to help care for their son.
Family friends and volunteers for the Oak Glen Jr. Bears/Matmen, Myndi Allison, Letha Phillips and Amber Ware are planning a Bingo Benefit for Neiko at the American Legion in Chester, W. Va. on Saturday, Jan. 25.
"We're going to be doing a bingo benefit. So, it's $25 per ticket, ten games, six cards per game. We're going to have a Chinese auction and 50/50. There's going to be a lot of things going on. We're also selling T-shirts [that say] "NeikoStrong" and we're selling bracelets."
The doors open at 3 p.m., early bird games begin at 4 p.m. and regular Bingo kicks off at 5 p.m.
There will be a $50 prize for each game and free beverages.
Concession stand food items will also be available for purchase.
Bingo Benefit tickets can be purchased at the American Legion in Chester or by reaching out to Allison (304) 479-0341, Phillips (330) 303-9391 or Ware (412) 722-6461.
The T-Shirts cost $20, and bracelets are $3. Both will be local pick up and can be purchased by using the QR code below.
If you're interested in making a monetary donation, visit their SpotFund website by clicking or tapping here.
If you would like to just participate in the silent auction, you can visit the American Legion in Chester between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Donations are still needed for the Bingo Benefit including silent auction baskets and food for concessions.
Some items volunteers are looking for include napkins, paper plates, plastic silverware, ground beef, hot dogs, hamburger/hotdog buns, tortilla chips, nacho cheese, cheese cubes, pepperoni and salami.
"Anything helps. It all helps. And we are grateful for everything," Allison says.
Reach out to Allison, Phillips or Ware for information on dropping off donation items.
Neiko's grandmother, Crystal Clifton, who he lovingly calls "Oma" says, "On behalf of Jake and Keasha and Neiko, we just want to say thank you for the support."
All proceeds from the bingo benefit, silent auction, concession stand, and T-Shirt/Bracelet sale will go directly to the Boni Family to help care for Neiko.
In December 2024, Keasha and Jake took Neiko to the doctor for a normal checkup.
While they were there, they brought up a concerning lump on Neiko's forehead.
Their pediatrician ordered a CT scan for the next day, Dec. 20, 2024, which revealed devastating news.
Neiko has a rare form of cancer known as Langerhans Histiocytosis.
Three days after being diagnosed, Dec. 23, 2024, Neiko underwent surgery to remove the lump from his forehead.
His diagnosis requires at least a year of chemotherapy along with lifelong follow-ups and treatments.
Now, family, friends and the community are coming together to support Nekio and his family during this hard battle.
Allison, Phillips and Ware say they are more than friends with Neiko's Oma and parents, they are a family.
"It doesn't just stop at the treatments and hospital visits. It's the travel and the time off from work," Ware said. "This goes beyond the benefit and this family is going to need continued support."
Allison said, "we're hoping to keep the Boni family covered for as long as we can while they're going through this."
To stay updated on Neiko's progress or continue supporting the family, search and use the hashtag #NeikoStrong on Facebook.