VIDALIA — Area residents flooded the Vidalia riverfront Saturday to raise more than $15,000 for a man whose strength and faith through his battle with cancer has made him an inspiration to his family, longtime friends and even complete strangers.

Natchez resident Shane Seyfarth was diagnosed with colon cancer that also spread to his lungs and liver. Seyfarth said the last report from his doctor offered only uncertainty, but he said his heart is at peace.

“They don’t know how much time I’ve got,” he said. “But when God is ready for me, he’ll call me up.”

All of the proceeds from the Every Mile a Memory Benefit went toward sending Seyfarth and his children on his dream vacation to the mountains.

Seyfarth, his daughter, Macie, 10, and son, Landon, 14, will leave today for North Lake Tahoe in California for a snow resort vacation for skiing, snowmobiling, ice-skating and memory-making.

The massive turnout and community support at the benefit, Seyfarth said, was indescribable.

“It makes me feel wonderful to have my family and friends, the community and even people I’ve never met out here supporting me,” he said.

Seyfarth’s longtime friends Kelly and Courtney Elveston, Jodi Stevens and Cathy Warren organized the event.

Courtney said donations from businesses and community members poured in before and at the event.

“People are literally handing us money,” she said. “We didn’t expect it, but when you put your faith in God, there’s no way to measure all the blessings that come from your community.”

Kelly Elveston and Seyfarth grew up together and attend church at Natchez First Baptist. Elveston said Seyfarth’s testimony and spiritual journey made him want to help make Seyfarth’s dream vacation happen.

“He’s inspiring and touches everyone he meets,” he said. “All the support, I could just cry right now thinking about it.”

Elveston said the Springfield Baptist youth group played an instrumental role in helping organize the benefit. Group member Morgan Richmond said she and the rest of the youth group wanted to help Seyfarth and his children make memories that would last forever.