Those who do not know Joe Hall, of Plymouth, may still recognize him as that guy who got to be in that Toyota commercial because his truck reached exactly 300,000 miles while driving to a 100th birthday party. They may even recognize Hall's face as an extra in background scenes in over a dozen Hollywood movies, like "There's Something About Mary", "Ted", or "Mall Cop".

But at the Wareham-New Bedford Lodge of Elks on Cranberry Highway, Hall isn't just a background figure. He's a familiar and recognizable face, acting prominently in the forefront whenever the Elks needs coordinators for fundraisers, organizers for scholarships, or volunteers to work in the community. As a Wareham-New Bedford Elks a member of 34 years, it's said that Hall exemplifies the organization's motto to 'care and share'.

On Sunday, Hall's fellow Lodge members showed him that the caring and sharing is also available when he needs it. The Wareham-New Bedford Lodge of Elks held a benefit to help Hall with unexpected medical costs. In March, Hall was diagnosed with Merkel-cell carcinoma, a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer. The attempt at radiation and chemotherapy wasn't successful, and complications and infections related to the cancer have compounded the cost of treatment.

According to Bob Hurley, the head of the Wareham-New Bedford lodge, Sunday's benefit raised close to $10,000 and more than 200 of Hall's fellow Lodge members, family, friends, and past co-workers came out to eat, dance, try to win raffle prizes, and to share time with Hall and his wife Simone.

Local restaurants such as Bailey's, Mezza Luna and The Gateway Tavern donated food. Businesses and individuals also donated items for raffle and auction prizes. The Buzzards Bay-based band ‘The Broken Strings’ provided music, and fellow Elks member, Mark Stafford was enlisted for some comic relief, giving Hall a “light roast”, with jokes about his role in a Toyota commercial, and his appearances in films, or his timeliness as a train conductor for Amtrak.

“I think it's amazing how many people came here,” Hall said. “People were coming in and out. It's a lot more than I expected.

“I feel absolutely that the Elks do care and share. They are filled with love," Hall's wife Simone said. "They are such compassionate people, and they are there when you need them. This is a great organization.”