By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Justin Henry is like any other high school senior. He has a lot of friends, has played sports for many years and is a very likeable guy. However, Henry was faced with one of his biggest challenges recently that many other kids his age haven't faced. He was diagnosed with cancer.
Henry, a senior at Niles High School, has underwent a few surgeries at the University of Michigan and is currently “doing pretty good,” Dave Janicki, Niles High School football coach said Tuesday afternoon. “Justin has played on the football team all four years and he's a great guy on and off the field.”
Henry became a member of the varsity team when he was a freshman and started three of the four years he played. He also earned All-Conference honors.
To help Justin and his family, area residents and friends of the family are holding a benefit dinner and dance this Friday, April 14, at the Niles American Legion Post 26, 1707 Miller Drive.
Tickets cost $10 per person and includes an all-you-can-eat menu of a number of different dinners. There will be plenty of fish due to the fact that it is Good Friday. There will also be chicken, hot dogs and many side items and desserts.
Dinner will be from 5 to 8 p.m., with a silent auction being held from 5 to 9.
There will be autographed memorabila from college and professional football and basketball players and coaches and other memorabilia signed by Muhammud Ali and Ryan Newman. There is a NASCAR jacket, free rounds of golf at Knollwood Country Club and other golf courses around the area and a number of other different items.
One of the biggest prizes, Janicki said, was the $2,000 donation for commercials from the WHME television station and a $1,000 commercial donation from an area radio station, which would be great advertising for any business.
Tickets for this event may be purchased at the door, or by calling Bob Schuelke at 269-684-8566.