WWYD: Benefit for former coworker

[Ashley&Scott]

Wondering what MM would do.

A former coworker has has stage 4 cancer, his family is hosting a benefit fundraiser in his honor in a few weeks. 

Quick Facts:
-this coworker worked in another location, I met him once (2014) but talked to him on the phone 1-2x/week for the last few years.
-benefit is 1.5 hours away from my house
-My company is small (15 employees - 5 in my office, 10 at the other location)No one else from my office is attending. The company owners will be out of town, they made make a donation to the benefit (not sure how much). I am assuming employees from our other location are attending.
-he stopped working about a month ago.

I feel sort of guilty not going & I think he would probably be surprised/touched if my family attended. On the other hand I didn't really know him that well so I'm not sure I would be missed either. WWYD?

[Ashley&Scott]

Oops, meant to post this on MM.

[mellimel19]

I think it would be a lovely gesture to attend, and would try to make it if I could.

[Deleted]

I definitely think it would be nice to send a donation. Attending is great, but no worries if you can't.

I would send at least $25, but as much as you can afford/feel called to send.

[mlt]

I would definitely go.

[minzy]

I think I would go.  I'm not trying to be morbid, but it sounds almost like a pre-funeral.  The coming together at a funeral is what makes them so great (minus of course that someone is missing), and here, this guy gets to see some people before he dies.  I doubt he will expect you there, but I bet he will be beyond touched that you made the effort.  Plus, you'll look like a gem in front of your other offsite colleagues.  If absolutely nothing else, it gives your family something different to do for a day.  I think you should go.

[countthestars]

I would probably go, but f I couldn't I would definitely send a donation. I would just duck out early and go out to dinner if it was awkward.

[dr.girlfriend]

I would go if you're able. A small gesture of support in a time of great need is never wasted.

[Ashley&Scott]

Mar 13, 2015 13:03:14 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

I don't know. I went to the funeral of an ex coworker's dad and kind of regretted it because it was awkward and stuff. But I'm an awkward person and I don't like going to things in general.

I do worry about it being awkward. I don't think I would attend his funeral, because I would feel out of place. But this isn't as formal so I'm am hoping it's not awkward. 

[loskadoodle]

I would try to go.

[Deleted]

Mar 13, 2015 12:36:11 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

I would try to go if it were convenient. I'd make/send a donation either way.

I agree.

[meij]

Mar 13, 2015 13:38:54 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

I would go if you're able. A small gesture of support in a time of great need is never wasted.

I love this.

I think you should go too, I think it would mean a lot to him and would be nice for his family to see his colleagues care for him (even from different sites).

If it were me or someone in my family I'd get a lot of comfort having a big turn out to something like this. Like, wow, ok, I (or my loved one) mattered.

[AmyRI]

If roles were reversed, would you think it was weird for him to come to a benefit for you?

I would try to go.

[sjh722]

Mar 13, 2015 13:38:54 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

I would go if you're able. A small gesture of support in a time of great need is never wasted.

Agree.

[Ashley&Scott]

Mar 13, 2015 14:29:20 GMT -5 AmyRI said:

If roles were reversed, would you think it was weird for him to come to a benefit for you?

I would try to go.

Good question, I didn't think about it like that. I think I would be touched if the roles were reversed.