Fundraiser Will Help Lisa Hoffman Leave Living Legacy for Grand Blanc Students

Although Lisa Hoffman has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia, she is not throwing herself a pity party or feeling sorry for herself. Hoffman, who taught kindergarten at Grand Blanc's Myers Elementary School, hopes her living legacy will impact children for generations to come. In March, doctors told the 48-year-old Grand Blanc resident she has approximately two months to live.

A fundraiser for Hoffman's scholarship program "Help Lisa Soar" will be held Sunday from 9am to 2pm at Great Harvest Bread Company, 252 Perry Rd., Grand Blanc. 100% of the store's baked goods sales will go to a fund that will help future Grand Blanc students attend college.

Hoffman also has a special place in her heart for children with autism, her friend Cynthia Duncanson told Cars 108 in a phone interview. "She's [also] hoping to be able to create a program that can be implemented in all of the elementary schools and maybe beyond, to help those children."

Duncanson said her friend has vowed to stay positive, despite her diagnosis. "She's going to use this journey to help other people. She wants to inspire other people to hold on to hope, to really hold on to their faith, and to band together." Hoffman and fiance Rick Gumbleton plan to be married next weekend.

The two women became friends when Duncanson's boys, now 15 and 13, were Hoffman's students, and they recognized her special gift for teaching. "To this day, if you ask my boys who their favorite teacher has ever been, it has always been Mrs. Hoffman."

In addition to the shcolarship fundraiser this weekend at Great Harvest Bread Company, online donations are being accepted at this website.

- George McIntyre
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