Corey Shaw Benefit Raises $7,500

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Sunday's benefit at the American Legion Center for fallen Du Quoin firefighter Corey Shaw raised approximately $7,500 for surviving wife Nichole and daughter Camryn.

Approximately 300 attended the benefit, which was organized by Sam Mannino, wife Debbie and friends.

A steady stream of family and friends attended the benefit, held from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Appropriately, Ray Shaw--Corey's uncle and Fire Chief Bob Shaw's brother--won the 50-50 drawing and donated all the proceeds back to the benefit.

Brooke Pulke was the winner of the sports package raffle.

Former Du Quoin Police and Fire Commissioner Don Payne won the guitar raffle.

Liz Kremer won the dining package.

Retired Du Quoin Fire Chief Brett Crain won the Stag memorabilia package.

The public can still make donations to the Corey Shaw Memorial Fund at the Du Quoin State Bank.

Du Quoin firefighter David Durkota this morning spoke on behalf of the entire department and the Mannino family in saying, "We certainly want to thank all of those who attended and made it the success that it was."

Firemen want the Shaw family to fully understand how important Corey was to him.

The benefit was both an emotional afternoon, yet was also the celebration of a life well-lived.

The support has been overwhelming and continues.

The June 17 fire destroyed the Kunz Opera House and the Pinckneyville Antique Mall.

Property owners are still in the throes of receiving insurance settlements on the properties and property owners will be responsible for the cleanup. The rubble on the north side of the square in Pinckneyville is a very stark reminder of how bad the fire was.

Music was provided by David Halstead and "A Band of Brothers." Sound was donated by LeeTronics of Centralia.

Use of the center was donated and The Sons of the American Legion did the cooking. All proceeds are being donated to the benefit.

Benefits from the sale of commemorative shirts created by Main Street T's of Du Quoin were also donated by owner Phillip Provart.