Hank Hatcher was born three months early on Sept. 17. He is the son of Jacob and Jamie Hatcher. | Special to the Enquirer

The friends and family of Jamie Hatcher are sponsoring a pork dinner benefitting Hatcher’s infant son Hank.

Hank was born Sept. 17 three months premature at 2 pounds and 12 ounces and 14 inches long. He had many problems with his heart and bleeding on his brain. He has already undergone one heart surgery and currently requires an oxygen breathing tube.

Jamie grew up in Hartselle and graduated from Hartselle High School. She is the daughter of Denise Smyth, who teaches pre-school at Crestline. Jamie is now married to Jacob Hatcher, who is in seminary school, and they live in Louisville, Ky. Hank is their first child.

Both Jamie and Jacob are charting their son’s struggles and growth through social media. Jamie posts daily updates, photos and thoughts on her Facebook page for family and friends back home. Jacob has been posting blogs all along that offer a little insight into their lives on his WordPress site “Slaying Goliath One Day at a Time.”

Their posts express their fears but always seem to stay positive, giving God all the credit for their son’s strength.

Charlene Woodruff, a family friend, said the Hatcher family deserves all the support they can get.

“My daughter was best friends with Jamie growing up,” Woodruff said. “She was always very involved at Hartselle, playing soccer and singing in chorus. She was just such a sweet girl. She had a real passion for music and was very involved in our church. Now she and her husband have been called to do missionary work. I know this is such a struggle for them, and we wanted to do whatever we could to help them out.”

The benefit dinner will be Nov. 15 at E.A.R.T.H. Park with pick-up from noon-3 p.m. The dinner will be pork prepared by Darrell Harris and Wayne Jones, green beans, a roll and sweet tea packed up to-go.

Tickets are $10 and can be picked up at the Hartselle Enquirer or the Hartselle Chamber of Commerce.

Jacob and Jamie Hatcher’s son Hank was born three month premature. He has already undergone one heart surgery and has a long recovery ahead of him, but he is showing signs of improvement. | Special to the Enquirer