A group of locals are gathering support for a Pittsford auto shop owner who cannot work due to his cancer treatments. 

The group is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Oct. 8 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Pittsford High School. All proceeds will help cover medical expenses for Chuck French, owner of recently-closed Pittsford Collision. 

“We think we are going to feed 500 people,” said head organizer Barb Poling-Price. “I think he is so well known, we are going to have a continuous line for spaghetti.”

The fundraiser will include a silent auction and a prize wheel in addition to the meal, according to Maxine Vanlerberg, a family friend of French. To participate in the prize wheel, attendees can buy a number and win prizes if the wheel lands on their number when it is spun throughout the night. 

“If Chuck is well enough, he will be there,” Vanlerberg said.

The flier for the fundraiser said French was diagnosed with lymphoma around the end of November 2022. French’s battle with cancer is ongoing and has made it difficult for him and his wife Vickie to maintain their businesses. With French in the hospital most days, and Vickie taking care of him, the couple could not keep Pittsford Collision operational.

After opening the auto shop in the summer of 1986, Valerberg said the couple closed the Pittsford Collision in May. 

Valerberg said the community knows and cares about the French couple, and has been extremely helpful with the fundraiser and generous with donations. Pittsford High School is allowing the committee to use the space free of charge for the fundraiser.

“I never thought we would have such a great response,” Poling-Price said. “That is how much the Frenchs are loved.”

Poling-Price said the Frenches always lend a helping hand and have a good work ethic. Valerberg said Chuck French was awarded Citizen of the Year in 2022.

“They were very supportive when other people were in need,” Poling-Price said. “Chuck is also a very honest businessman. He always wanted to make sure that when you got your car back from him it was acceptable.”

Poling-Price and Valerberg expressed their admiration for Pittsford concerning how fast the community formed a committee to throw the spaghetti fundraiser.

“People are so generous. Donations are coming in, it’s amazing what people are willing to do,” Vanlerberg said. “That’s what I love about Hillsdale County, people really care about each other.”