MYAKKA — Early morning storms didn’t stop Myakka City residents from preparing frog legs, chicken gizzards and swamp cabbage for the second annual Taste of Myakka on Saturday afternoon at the Myakka Family Worship Center on Singletary Road.
The event was to raise money for cancer patient Randy Ballard and was typical of the way the community comes together to help a friend in need, said Tammy Meador, a lifetime Myakka resident and one of the organizers.
“We wanted to do something for Randy,” she said. “So many people wanted to help. This is what it ended up being.”
Fifteen families prepared food for the Taste of Myakka ranging from gator to strawberry shortcake, according to Pastor Lynn Howell of the Worship Center. All of the proceeds from food sales and an auction were to go towards helping Ballard.
“It’s really families helping families and the community coming together,” said Howell.
Myakka residents are known for helping their neighbors in need, said Howell. They held the first Taste of Myakka last year for Fred Mongeon, who also suffered from cancer, and raised $10,000. A recent bull riding event and barbecue raised nearly $14,000 for Larry J. Betts, another cancer patient.
Last year’s festival saw about 600 people, and they hope to surpass that this year, said Howell.
“We hope the crowd comes out today,” he said.
And the crowd did come out. Cars and trucks filled the church parking lot, the field adjacent to the church and up and down Singletary Road. Ray Ballard called the festival “a blessing.”
“I’m really thankful,” said Ray Ballard, the younger of two sons who drove from South Carolina to be at the event. “It’s great for the community coming out together like this.”
Randy Ballard was well known in the community for his involvement with youth, volunteering as a 4-H leader with his wife, Diana. When not helping out with FFA and 4-H clubs and shows, Randy Ballard also served on the Manatee County Fair board of directors, and was a member of the Manatee County Cattlemen’s Association.
Seven weeks ago, Randy Ballard underwent back surgery, according to Ray Ballard. That was when doctors discovered cancer in his vertebrae.
He spent six weeks in the hospital recovering from the surgery, and now is looking at radiation treatments to remedy the cancer, said Ray Ballard. He was forced to quit working as a truck salesman for Autoway Ford when his health started to decline.
“When the problems with his back happened, that ended his work days,” said Ray Ballard. “His insurance ran out last month.”
The medical bills have started piling up, said Ray Ballard. That was when his Myakka friends decided to do something to help, said Debbie Long, whose sister-in-law is Randy Ballard’s sister. All it took was one phone call to get the ball rolling, and everybody put their ideas together, she said.
All of the food at the festival was donated by businesses and individuals, and prepared by volunteers — friends and neighbors who have known Randy Ballard at some time in their life.
“This community has always pulled together for everybody and everything,” said Long. “You can always count on this community.”
Roger Hill, ranch manager for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, came to the festival not only because he knew Randy Ballard as an employee at the ranch for 18 years, but also because he knew him as a close friend.
The festival was a chance for the community to do something for someone who has done so much for everyone else, he said.
“He was always there to help somebody,” said Hill. “He’s a good guy.”
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