Barten Breakfast: Communities at their best

Community at its best was how several people described the Ninth Annual Roman Barten Memorial Benefit Breakfast on Sunday, April 10. Held at the KC Hall in New Prague, the event brought in large crowds from area communities to help support Griffin Dahmen, son of Kurt and Jill Dahmen, and Lexyn Grof, son of Jeff and Ashley Holt. The two 8 year-old friends from Jordan are both battling rare forms of cancer.

"We are extremely blessed and thankful for the Barten family and the community for showing their support and love," said Ashley Holt. "We certainly couldn’t have made it this far without all of them."

"It’s just overwhelming the sense of community and support both our families are receiving, it’s amazing," said Kurt Dahmen. "There’s a lot of love here today."

"Fran and her kids have made a beautiful tribute to her husband," he noted.

The Barten family hosts the breakfast in an effort to continue Roman’s legacy of service to the community. Each year the family chooses one or more families to aid. The breakfast receives help through volunteers that not only include members of the Barten family, but friends and others. Fran Barten explained that this year six of the families who have been helped came out in force to volunteer.

Ashley Holt said her family is looking forward to helping out at future Barten Breakfasts.

"It’s an awesome thing. It’s wonderful that people in the area come support the families. That’s what makes this so powerful," said Fran Barten.

Also impressed with the event was former Minnesota Twin Corey Koskie. Brought in by area resident Mike Dudley, Koskie said, "This encapsulates America and American values, how people come together and support two families. There are people from all walks of life from all over who are coming to support these two boys battle."

For Griffin and Lexyn, who both love sports, Koskie brought jerseys of their favorite players, Brian Dozier and Joe Mauer. Koskie said when the boys received the jerseys, "They were happy. They had big smiles."

Both agreed it was cool when they received their jerseys. "I was surprised by all the people," said Griffin.

"I was happy, because everybody came," said Lexyn.

Ashley Holt said that....

To see more on this story pick up the April 14, 2016 print edition of The New Prague Times.