Blacksburg High School Student Council Treasurer Tanner Hughes butters homemade rolls Feb. 17 while helping with a dinner benefit for art teacher Jared Harris, who is battling cancer. Nearly 700 people packed the Blacksburg High cafeteria after church Feb. 17 for Sunday dinner to help an art teacher recently diagnosed with cancer.

School faculty organized a chicken dinner as a benefit for Blacksburg High teacher Jared Harris. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in January and is scheduled to go to Duke University on Feb. 26 to discuss treatment options.

Harris has taught art at Blacksburg High for six years. Harris and his wife, Chris, have a 1-year-old daughter.

While no final amount from the benefit is available, Blacksburg High faculty member Donna Moore said the Harris family was overwhelmed with the generosity shown by the community.

"We served close to 700 people and received numerous donations from businesses. We can be proud that the Cherokee County community is a caring and giving family," Moore said. "The Harris family was especially blessed by the outpouring of love of their Blacksburg family. Many Cherokee County schools, businesses and individuals made donations to make this event successful."

Donations are still being received by Blacksburg High to help the Harris family with their medical expenses.