THROOP - In the past seven months since Jimmy and Carol Webster, of Auburn, have become members of the Throop Church of God, they have made new friends and found a support system that has proven to be dedicated to even the newest of church members.

Shortly after joining the church, Carol was diagnosed with liver failure and almost immediately the members of the congregation went to work planning what they could do to help the family during this trying time.

Saturday afternoon, church members, friends and family gathered at the Throop firehouse for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on behalf of Carol.

“She is doing a little better now,” said Jen Colombo, Webster's niece and a co-organizer of the fundraiser. “She needs a transplant and she is on the waiting list. Right now it is a matter of waiting and she is eating better and taking good care of herself, so she is doing better now.”

Colombo said that along with other members of the congregation, she began planning the fundraiser in January.

“We just wanted to be able to do something to help with medical expenses,” Colombo said. “Everyone has been so supportive. We have a 50/50 raffle and door prizes and a silent auction with a lot of items that were donated by local businesses. There has been a lot of support, which has been really nice to see.”

For the Websters, the show of support from so many people that they are just getting to know proved to be a truly overwhelming experience.

“We just started going to the church,” Jimmy said. “There are so many people that we really don't know and that really don't know us yet, but they are all here. We never could've expected anything like this when we started going to the church seven or eight months ago.”

Making people feel welcome and at home and most importantly that there is support in difficult times is one of the major missions of the Throop Church of God.

Peggy Colombo, wife of pastor Fred Colombo, said that the message conveyed by God and the church is one of love and that it is important for the church to share that message with everyone.

“God loves us,” Peggy said. “And he wants to help us. And we want to love other people and help other people the same way God loves and helps us. We want to help. We want to be there in times when people need it be helped out. Mostly we just want them to know that there are people here that care.”

For Carol, this rally of support did truly come as surprise.

She said that her niece let her know there was going to be a small gathering in support of her, but she had no idea it was going to be such a large celebration.

“I was surprised,” Carol said. “I really didn't expect anything like this. I'm a little tired but I am enjoying myself.”