Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Benefit dance raises funds for Cannon family after January shooting ...

A weekend benefit dance raised about $2,700 for a Forest Grove family still reeling after a January shooting that shredded their home.

Former Hillsboro police officer Timothy Cannon exchanged gunfire with 10 Washington County officers on Jan. 20, according to authorities. He is being held at the Washington County Jail awaiting trial on 26 counts, including 11 counts of attempted aggravated murder.

His wife Lisa and their two young children, one boy and one girl, are facing the emotional and financial aftermath of the shooting. A group of more than 160 volunteers from Hillsboro and Forest Grove -- the Lisa Cannon Supporters -- aims to lessen the family's burden through home repairs, grocery shopping and fundraising.

The benefit dance, which was a private event at the Hillsboro Elks Lodge, is the first fundraiser for the supporters. The evening featured live country music and raffles.

"It's heartbreaking knowing that unlike me, (Lisa) doesn't have a husband to come home to at night," said Alana Ambrose, who manages the volunteer and fundraising efforts. "The kids don't have a father to come home to."


Ambrose's husband, Vin, worked with Timothy Cannon. After the shooting, Alana Ambrose sent out a message to rally support for the Cannon family. She received 164 responses.

The volunteers repaired the Cannons' house to "near-original" condition so Lisa and the children could return home and they are providing groceries for the family, Ambrose said.

"You have a family that went from two incomes to one literally overnight," she said. "We wanted to get them home as soon as possible because it's not until they get back home that they can start that process of healing and creating what I like to call their new norm."

The family's new norm may not be easy, but it will be financially possible for at least a little longer through a Lisa Cannon Supporters account at Bank of the West. The proceeds from the dance will go to that account, as will future donations.

"I know that in this economy a lot of people have had to downsize when one or more of them lost their jobs, so I don't know how that's going to pan out," Ambrose said. "But that money will go toward Lisa and the kids for whatever she needs."

Cynthia O'Donnell, a volunteer and Elks member who helped with the event, said the dance was also a sign of support for the police officers and firefighters impacted by the shooting.

"The Elks wanted to boost their morale and honor them," O'Donnell said.

The volunteers are planning another fundraiser, this time open to the public, for April 26. It will be a Texas Hold'Em style poker night at Coyote's Bar & Grill in Hillsboro.

Hillsboro city staff confirmed that Timothy Cannon is not receiving any severance pay or benefits following his resignation from the Hillsboro Police Department in late January.

Rebecca Woolington contributed to this report.

--Kari Bray

Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/forest-grove/index.ssf/2013/03/benefit_raises_funds_for_canno.html

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