A barbeque fundraiser Dec. 3 benefits a local 4-year-old boy who is recovering from heart surgery.

Proceeds will go toward medical and travel expenses Nathan Tolbert's family has incurred during the ordeal.

The fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chestatee Ford in Lumpkin County.

Barbeque plates are $7 each. There will also be a car show, pony rides and face painting. Donations will be accepted.

Tolbert plays T-ball for the Cubs at Rock Creek Park for Coaches Andy Cagle and Tim Day, who are organizing the event.

"Nate, he's a tough little guy and he's been through a lot already. We just fell in love with this little guy," Cagle said. "Christmas is coming up, and we're just wanting to try to make this easier on him."

Tasha Tolbert, a communication officer with Dawson County 9-1-1, calls the outpouring of support for her son true a blessing.

"Me and my husband always try to give or help when we can and it feels great to know that there [are] still caring and wonderful people in this community," she said. "Everyone who is helping or that has helped will never know how much they mean to us."

Doctors have said there is still a chance Nathan will need a third surgery to repair his heart. He was just 16 days old for his first surgery. His second was in mid-November.

"He is getting better every day," she said. "He is so tough, he will be in pain and tell the nurses he doesn't need pain meds and he'll fight it out. He makes us so proud."

Donations can also be made through the Chestatee Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 1635 Black's Mill Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534.

For more information, call Tim Day at (404) 732-4266 or Andy Cagle at (706) 429-7782.