“In the wild, female elephants are known as fierce protectors. And when one of their sisters is suffering, they circle up around her. They close in tight, watch guard, and even kick dust around her to mask her vulnerable scent from predators.
And yet, we are the same. This is who we are, and who we are meant to be for each other. Sometimes we’re the ones in the middle. Sometimes we’re the ones kicking up dust with fierce, fierce love. But the circle remains.” – author unknown
The female elephant symbol of fierce love deeply resonates with a group of women born and raised in Dunmore, now scattered around the country, who have circled up time and again over the past 40-plus years for the bitter and the sweet in each other’s lives.
Some of the herd’s friendships go all the way back to kindergarten. All were thrown together as Dunmore High School’s “original eighth grade,” sent to DHS at age 13. Through the years the Class of ’78 has circled up for the loss of loved ones, personal tragedies, and serious illnesses, and has celebrated intensely during good times.
It is circle up time again. Classmate Sandy (Richards) O’Connell, (Class of ‘78), is working tirelessly to help her husband Billy O’Connell (Class of ’77) beat cancer. Over the winter, Sandy’s friends heard that Billy was undergoing surgery, as his cancer that began as melanoma had spread.
The herd got moving, and their Dunmore upbringing kicked in. First, the rosary beads came out, saints were petitioned, meals were made, restaurant and grocery gift cards were sent. But month after month dragged on, and more was needed for the O’Connells. Work had become impossible for Billy, a self-employed master woodworker. The friends decided to set up a GoFundMe account and plan a blow-out fundraising event in Dunmore.
Led by Angela Wassell Lambert, the Class of ’78 friends will host a Summer Benefit for Sandy and Billy on Saturday, July 15, beginning at 2 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Pavilion, Hill Street, with food trucks, a mega basket raffle, DJ music by the O’Connell’s son Keenan, and live music featuring Robbie Walsh and Jack Foley from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The event is BYOB. Proceeds will help with some of the O’Connell’s medical and living expenses while cancer treatments continue.
