By the time the doors at Heart Mountain Hall swung open for the JW Heny benefit, there was already a long line forming. Generous donors poured in so fast that organizers ran out of dinner menu items, having expected about 500, and volunteers had to run to the store for options to feed the overwhelming amount of people who came for dinner.

The only item they didn’t run out of were tasty homemade cookies by the hundreds brought by volunteers and drinks served up by the K-Bar Saloon and soft drinks donated by Pepsi. Organizers from Heny’s extended family and friends were amazed by the show of support for the home builder, said Bridgette Featherston, JW’s sister.

‘It’s so overwhelming. It’s awesome. We feel very loved by the community,” she said as the auction was about to start.

Donations for silent and live auctions surrounded supporters on three sides of the large banquet hall and smiling volunteers welcomed folks as fast as they could. The line for dinner snaked halfway around the hall, yet moved quickly. With 550 seats, the place was standing room only for most of the six-hour benefit. Pokey Heny, who was at the front table selling tickets, said there were probably 1,100 to 1,200 people in attendance during the auction.

“It has been amazing. The donations, the gifts, the offers of help, everything. We live in one of the best communities there is,” Heny said while taking a short break from the ticket counter.

During the event, JW’s sister Bridgette Featherston and family members showed JW the support at the benefit via FaceTime while he remained hospitalized at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

“We all said hi and waved. And I think that made him feel really good to see how many people came here in support. It also made him feel good, because he’s not loving New York. You know, he’s a small town boy,” Heny said.

JW Heny is being treated for an aggressive brain tumor, but is expected to finish this round of his treatments on May 10, according to JW’s wife, Jessica.

“JW’s last radiation day is scheduled for May 10th,” she said. “The doctors and staff here at Memorial Sloan Kettering are truly amazing and so positive but we sure miss our friends and family. We will keep fighting and hope to see you all soon!”

He and Jessica have two children, 7-year-old Jenna and 12-year-old James. The benefit, which brought in well over $100,000, will help to pay the high cost of treatments and travel.

Jessica said there were no words to express how thankful we are to the people and wonderful community we live in.

“Thank you so much for your love, support, and generosity. We truly are blessed,” she said while remaining by JW’s side while he’s away for treatment.

Volunteers from the Northwest College nursing school served up pulled pork by the buns-full and sides prepared and donated by WYOld West Head Chef Ryan Gutierrez and his team of volunteers. Travis Swenson and his crew volunteered their time for a large auction of so many donated items that a separate online auction will be held in two weeks. They were assisted by members of Heny’s extended family and friends, as well as FFA students who came to help.

Many folks were already wearing their new blue T-shirts purchased at the event. They were donated by Dustin Short and the folks at DSE in Powell. The T-shirts, raffle tickets and donated pies and cakes all sold out shortly after the doors opened. There were even puppies and livestock up for auction by individual donors.

JW’s uncle, Scott organized the benefit and said he’s proud of JW.

“He’s a go-getter working son-of-a-gun,” he said after the benefit.

Scott found the level of support from the community and from folks from across the region inspiring.

“People from 10 other states donated or showed up that night. This community is the most awesome place in the world!!!!” Scott wrote on his Facebook page. “I’m staying right here, not going anywhere. I’m afraid if someone says to me that they can’t wait to get out of this small town I might have to slap them! Thank you all for your generosity and support.”

He spoke with JW after the benefit and said his nephew feels the love.

“JW knows it all comes from the heart,” he said.