OLYPHANT - With temperatures expected to dip below freezing this weekend, Brian McDonald continued to sit outside thinking about his stepfather's lung cancer.
Mr. McDonald, 32, began sitting on Delaware Avenue on Friday evening and plans to stay there for 48 hours to raise money for his stepfather's cancer expenses and the American Cancer Society.
Called Paul's Journey, the fundraising effort has Mr. McDonald braving the elements in an effort to support Paul Vessels, who has lung cancer.
Mr. McDonald had a jar for donations, T-shirts and bracelets for people who donated to the cause.
"I waited for it to get cold before deciding to do this,' Mr. McDonald said.
"I want to suffer like my stepdad is suffering."
Friends stopped by earlier in the evening to show support and keep him company. By 9 p.m. Friday, passers-by had donated about $50. Christian Mazzo, owner of the Academy of Traditional Martial Arts, helped Mr. McDonald with T-shirts for the event.
"Everybody has their own fight," Mr. Mazzo said. "We need to help each other out."
As friends wished him good luck out in the cold, Mr. McDonald, wearing multiple coats and hats, nestled into a chair and waited for people to pass.
Earlier in the evening, Mr. Vessels visited his stepson to thank him for his support.
"I wish I could be out here longer but I have to go take medicine," Mr. Vessels said before leaving.
Contact the writer: rward@timesshamrock.com, @rwardTT on Twitter