Shalena's Breakfast marks 25 years

HAUSER - The family of Kaylee Bennett, a 3-year-old Coeur d'Alene girl who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer at birth, will benefit from proceeds at the 25th annual Shalena's Breakfast with Santa on Sunday at the Hauser Lake fire station.

The fundraiser at 10728 N. Hauser Lake Road will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The breakfast includes sausage, eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, an orange drink and coffee. The suggested donation is $3 per person or $10 per family. There will also be raffle items. Santa will visit kids.

Each year the breakfast, sponsored by the Hauser Lake Volunteer Fire Department, helps alleviate medical bills and family financial distress of a local family with a child who has a serious illness.

It is named after Hauser Lake Fire Capt. Gary Mobbs' daughter Shalena, who lost her battle with cancer.

"Even though she lost her battle, her name lives on with the breakfast," said Mobbs, event organizer.

Kaylee's mother Sara said the family is grateful to be chosen.

"We're very thankful," she said. "We've been to the breakfast in the past. This will be our fourth year. We hope that this is the biggest year yet with it being the 25th anniversary."

Kaylee has had three surgeries and five blood transfusions, but has not started chemotherapy. She goes to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane for appointments.

"She's a tough girl," Sara said. "As Kaylee grows, the cancer grows with her."

Kaylee has a 2-year-old sister named Tessa. Her father Robert is unemployed and Sara works at the Subway in the Hayden Walmart.