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Southside Baptist Church will hold a benefit for Jonathan Douglas and raise funds for his family Saturday, August 20, from 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Douglas, 49, has been denied eight times by his insurance company for a life-saving barostim implant. He had two brain surgeries for Pseudotumor cerebri in 1999 and 2000. He was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant in July 2000. As a result, he spent 19 months in the hospital at UAB with complications.

The benefit will take place at Southside’s Family Life Center with all proceeds going to the Douglas family. Admission will be free with donations accepted.

Southside will have barbecue pulled pork plates for sale at $10 and corn dog plates for $5. Each barbecue plate will have cole slaw, baked beans, and a dessert. Corn dog plates will have chips and a cookie. Canned drinks will also be available for $2.

There will be a silent auction from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and a live auction beginning at 4 p.m. with Todd Nichols serving as the auctioneer. Live entertainment will be held at the benefit from noon until 3:30 p.m. In addition, there will be a bake sale, customized t-shirts in all sizes for $20, cotton candy for $2, popcorn for $1, and Robert Hart’s famous boiled peanuts in quart and gallon sized bags.

His brother Jeffery Douglas, known to many as “Mr. Mattress,” set up a GoFundMe page to also help with expenses and has seen over $32,000 raised thus far.

Southside Baptist Church is located at 1213 Western Bypass in Andalusia. For more information or to volunteer at the benefit, call the church office at 334-222-4300. Hours of operation for the church office are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.