The youth group of Central Christian Church in Ironton is doing its part to help the community, starting with their own classmate.

The group is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Bethany Bibb, an Ironton High School student who is waiting on a double lung transplant. Bethany was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was 3.

The spaghetti dinner will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. April 9 at the Central Christian Church gymnasium at 1541 S. Seventh St.

Youth minister T.J. Parnell said women from the church will be providing the food, and the youth group will be serving and providing entertainment.

Some of the entertainment includes music by several high school and middle school students who are in their school bands, and some vocal selections as well. An orchestra cello player will also provide some music.

“I think the entertainment will be very good,” Parnell said.

No reservations are needed and the cost of the meal is $5, while donations of more than that are accepted. Takeout is also available.

Parnell said he just took over the youth ministry and wants the group to become more involved in the community. He has a goal of doing a service project every couple of months, and this is the first one.

There is no particular monetary goal in mind of what they hope to raise.

“We are just going to give as much as we possibly can,” Parnell said. “We’d like it to be very successful. We really don’t know what to expect. Anything we can raise for them is going to be a great thing.”

Parnell said the church tries to take great strides to get outside of the four walls of the church and help the community however they can.

“We believe that’s what Jesus would want us to do,” Parnell said. “We want the kids to see this is why we go to church every Sunday – to serve, give back, love people, help out when needed and to the right thing.”

Breisa Baker, 18, and Lena Williams, 14, both of Ironton, want the best for Bethany and are glad to be able to help out in some way.

“She is a student at our school,” Breisa said. “It’s really heartbreaking to see her not get the chance to be a regular highschooler like the rest of us.

“We really want her to be healthy again,” Breisa added. “She is a really sweet girl.”

“She is so positive about things and never negative about herself and we just think we should help her out,” Lena said.

Lena knows Bethany from in the marching band.

“I hope we raise enough money,” Lena said. “I just hope we can help out and she can get it and be able to be well.”