Weekend fundraiser to benefit officer recovering from surgery

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A special fundraiser planned for this weekend will benefit a Lakeport Police officer who has been dealing with significant health issues over the past year.

The Lakeport Police Officers Association will host the fundraiser to benefit Officer Jarvis Leishman from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave.

Leishman is a 12-year veteran of the Lakeport Police Department. During his time with the agency he's served both as a school resource officer and a patrol officer.

He and his family – wife Jessica and 8-year-old son, Cameron – have faced serious challenges since he began his battle last year with a debilitating illness that led to several hospital stays and left him unable to work.

Doctors discovered a benign mass in his chest that was life-threatening and surgery was needed to remove it.

The result is that the Leishmans have been hit by medical bills that are impossible to pay without him working.

At the same time, his benefits from the city of Lakeport are now coming to an end due to him being off work for close to one year, and they are struggling to keep their home.

In an effort to help him, his fellow officers are hosting the spaghetti dinner, which will feature a raffle, silent auction and full bar.

Among the items offered for auction at the event will be a chainsaw sculpture and a Smith & Wesson model 642 .38 Special +P.

Tickets are available at the Lakeport Police Department, 916 N. Forbes St.; the Meals on Wheels Thrift Store, 120 N. Main St.; Linda's Hallmark, 991 11th St., in the Safeway shopping center; the Lake County District Attorney's Office, 255 N. Forbes St.; and from Christina Basor, telephone 707-489-3600.

The price for tickets is $20 per adult and $3 per child under age 12.

If you are unable to attend the event but would like to contribute, an online fundraiser also is under way at http://www.gofundme.com/ggx5ro .

Since it began two weeks ago, the online fundraiser – which has a goal of $5,000 – had raised $3,120 as of early Thursday.