Chesapeake, Va. - A fundraiser held Sunday at Jerry's Restaurant and Lounge in Chesapeake was almost like a class reunion.
"I've seen people today that I haven't seen since I graduated high school," said Nikki Lyle Ward.
"Even teachers. One's coming up right now," said Jeff Guill, pointing out one of the people in the crowd.
Many of the people gathered were Indian River High School grads.
They didn't come together to reminisce about the past, though. They're taking action to make the future a little better for one of their former classmates.
Tory Kemp's old friends from Indian River and others in the community held a benefit Sunday afternoon to raise money for him as he prepares to undergo a kidney transplant.
The band EverAfter performed and a silent auction was held.
The money will help Kemp and his family while he recovers from the transplant. It's scheduled to take place a few days after Christmas.
"He could be out of work three to six months, so we're just doing a benefit for him to make sure that him and his family are going be okay," said Guill, who helped organize the event.
"I'm very, very overwhelmed with the support, the love from our community, my friends," Kemp said.
That support goes far beyond they money they've raised.
The kidney he's receiving is also coming from a former classmate - Nikki Lyle Ward.
Although the two didn't know each other well in high school and it's been 27 years since then, when Ward learned through Facebook that Kemp was in need, she decided to take action.
"I'm healthy now and I can remain healthy afterwards, so it's a speed bump in my life compared to what he's going through," said Ward, "God forbid something every happen to me, I would hope somebody would step up and help in any way they can."
Fortunately for Kemp, he has a lot of people willing to do just that for him.
"It's a blessing," Kemp said.
For more information about how you can help, click here.
