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Photo Courtesy: Sherry McCallister

By: Ashley Bishop | Posted: July 8, 2018 | Source: WCHSTV

Community holds event for drowning victim. (WCHS/WVAH)

CLENDENIN, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — Hundreds of people came out to Clendenin Main Street on Sunday for the Cody McCallister Spaghetti Dinner Benefit.

17-year old Cody McCallister drowned on Thursday while swimming in the Elk River with some friends. This dinner is the second event that was held to help the family with funeral expenses.

“I can’t imagine the pain that a parent feels in having to bury their child, it’s the worse thing I can think of as a parent,” said benefit participant, Tony Brown of Hurricane.

In the first hour, nearly 100 people were served pasta, salad, and dessert. Dee Miller of Walton came out with her grandchildren and husband. She says she knows the feelings the McCallister’s are going through as she lost her nephew the same way.

“I have had family that has drowned before, and I really feel bad for the family, it hits close to home,” said Miller.

The Spaghetti Dinner Benefit went in the works just hours after Cody died. It was held a Momma Payne’s Diner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Organizers said…

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Photo Courtesy: Sherry McCallister

By: Haley Kosik | Posted: July 7, 2018 | Source: WOWKTV

CLENDENIN, WV – The town of Clendenin finally had just the right conditions to host its first-ever “Paddlefest” earlier today. Roughly 30 people grabbed their paddles and hopped in their kayaks to take on the four-mile route.

The Paddlefest stems from the annual Clendenin Homecoming Festival, a time to celebrate perseverance and progress made after the June 2016 flood, however, a time to honor one Clendenin drowning victim.

Two days prior, 17-year-old Cody McCallister went missing in the Elk River. Later that night, crews pulled his body from the water.

The Paddlefest’s proceeds were originally set to be placed into the Homecoming Festival’s fund, but proceeds will now be donated to Cody’s family to help pay for funeral expenses.

Yak House Owner and Paddlefest Organizer, Dave Knight was inclined to…

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Photo Courtesy: Sherry McCallister

By: Kalea Gunderson and Jarrod Clay | Posted: July 6, 2018 | Source: WCHSTV

Friends and family gathers Friday night to remember the life of 17-year-old Cody McCallister. (WCHS/WVAH)

CLENDENIN, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — Friends and family gathered Friday night to remember the life of 17-year-old Cody McCallister, who drowned Thursday night while swimming with friends in the Elk River.

McCallister’s friends, family, and classmates gathered at the former Herbert Hoover High School parking lot to honor the teen who had aspirations of joining the Marines.

Cody McCallister’s family and friends are meeting in the former Herbert Hoover parking lot sharing stories and memories about him. One friend tells me Cody had just graduated high school and was set to leave for the Marines on July 16th. pic.twitter.com/TmWFpCt1w3

— Kalea Gunderson (@KaleaWCHS) July 7, 2018

The vigil was organized by McCallister’s peers.

This vigil was organized by some of Cody McCallister’s close friends. Information on how to donate to help cover funeral costs is on our website, https://t.co/gLqggB15yU. pic.twitter.com/CkkjpQAgha

— Kalea Gunderson (@KaleaWCHS) July 7, 2018

Cade Drake said Cody was like a brother to him and one of the most genuine people he has ever met. He said they did pretty much everything together, from welding to playing basketball. They even worked on Cody’s home together after it was damaged in the June 2016 flood.

Thursday night, the two boys and two other friends were swimming in the Elk River when Cade said he noticed…

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By: Jeff Morris | Posted: July 6, 2018 | Source: WCHS

Kanawha County deputies identify the teen who drowned while swimming in the Elk River as Cody A. McCallister, 17, of the Elkview area. (Photo Courtesy of Sherry McCallister)

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — Kanawha County deputies released the name of a 17 year old who drowned in the Elk River while he was swimming with some friends.

The body of Cody A. McCallister was recovered about 11:20 p.m. Thursday was recovered from the river, according to a news release from the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.

#BREAKING: Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has just released the name of the boy who drowned in the Elk River last night. His name is Cody McCallister. He is 17-years-old.

— Kalea Gunderson (@KaleaWCHS) July 6, 2018

Metro 911 received a call about 7:30 p.m. that two males were in the Elk River and one male was requesting help. Members of the Clendenin Fire Department and the sheriff’s office were dispatched to…

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