FARMINGTON TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A memorial ride, dinner, and benefit are being organized for the family of a Tionesta woman who passed away in September.
(Photo by Dave Cyphert of ProPoint Media Photography)
The Arinna’s Ride event, which will include a memorial ride, dinner, raffle, 50/50, and Chinese auction to benefit the family of Arianna Evans, is scheduled for Saturday, February 23.
Arianna Evans, who passed away in September of this year, was a 2013 graduate of North Clarion High School.
Arianna, the daughter of Bill and Laura Brent Evans, was known as North Clarion’s biggest fan. She was a constant fixture at any North Clarion basketball game, home or away.
Born with Spina Bifida, Arianna was also an avid fan of outdoor sports. She enjoyed fishing and kayaking, as well as hunting with her father.
Following her passing, Tyler Thomas, who graduated with Arianna and was one of the basketball players during their shared time at North Clarion High School, had the idea to hold a raffle to help raise money for Arianna’s family.
“They had excess health bills and funeral costs on top of college expenses for the other children of the family and Arianna’s mother pursuing a nursing degree,” Thomas noted.
He first approached two other former classmates, Christina Rizer and Dylan Huet, with the idea, and Huet suggested a memorial ride, in addition to the raffle. Joey LaCombe, who was a 2012 North Clarion graduate, and Andrew McCullough, who also graduated in Arianna’s class, then became involved with helping Huet create the trails.
According to Thomas, Rizer was a driving force behind the organization and planning processes and was also a key part in advertising for the event when they were starting out, while Thomas focused on obtaining prizes and organizing for the raffle.
Arianna’s father, Bill Evans, said that Thomas contacted their family within a day of Arianna’s passing saying he and some others wanted to do something in memory of Arianna and to raise money for the family.
“It was pretty neat how quickly they all pulled it together,” Evans said. “They all came to the funeral to make sure everything was okay with us, too.”
“Arianna was a very inspiring and grateful person and we wanted to show our appreciation for her by raising money for her family,” Thomas said.