SALISBURY — Within five minutes of meeting Tamara Brendle, you feel as though you’ve made a new friend.

“She is like an angel on earth,” sister-in-law Christina Vanhoy says. “She is the sweetest girl.”

Brendle, 38, of Lexington, was diagnosed in April with Stage 4 colon cancer, and it has been aggressive, spreading to her liver, lungs and, most recently, adrenal glands.

A fundraiser has been scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Morgan Ridge Vineyards for Tamara and her family, which includes husband J.W. Brendle and their three boys — Jackson, 15; Logan, 12; and Kayden, 5.

The vineyard is at 486 John Morgan Road, Gold Hill. Visitors to the fundraiser will be able to shop among many vendors of LulaRoe and other merchandise.

Of special note, 5-by 7-inch portraits with Santa will be offered for $10, with additional packages available. Santa Claus is donating all his time and proceeds to the Brendle family.

Raffle tickets will be sold and later drawn for a Tory Burch purse, Christmas trees from River Ridge Tree Farm and prizes from Anna Craig, 3 Jem’s Boutique, Caniche and a restaurant basket, featuring gift cards to places such as Hap’s Grill in Salisbury, the Shuckin’ Shack in Salisbury and Wahoo’s Diner in Granite Quarry.

Three woodworkers will be on site selling things such as furniture, outdoor reindeer and other Christmas decor.

“The community has really come together,” Vanhoy says.

Surgery already has removed a portion of Tamara Brendle’s colon, and she has been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy — treatments that are predicted to last up to 18 months.

Vanhoy has organized a “Team Tamara” effort on behalf of her sister-in-law. Previously, Resurrection Baptist Church on Old Concord Road sponsored a barbecue that raised $3,000 for the family.

Vanhoy describes Tamara as “a dedicated military wife, amazing mother, a sister and friend.”

“She is a small-town, Christian, country girl who has always put everyone before herself,” Vanhoy says.

J.W. Brendle, who grew up in Rowan County, works a full-time job, besides serving in the Army Reserve.

“He does not miss any doctor appointments. Therefore, he is missing a lot of work,” Vanhoy says of her brother.

Tamara is no longer able to work.

Vanhoy is hoping for a huge turnout Saturday.

“I want her to feel the spirit and love from everywhere,” Vanhoy says.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.