Benefit gathering earns $2,000 for Bollinger County family

An afternoon of food and games netted about $2,000 Saturday for June Werchow of Bollinger County.

Pat Hicks, who with her husband runs Immediate HealthCare at Lexington Avenue and Kingshighway in Cape Girar-deau said "it was just a wonderful, wonderful weekend."

Hicks and nurse practitioner Nina Hill put together the fund-raising event for Werchow, who had come to the clinic for treatment of a MRSA staph infection, after they learned about the conditions she and her son Freddie were living in.

The family had fallen on hard times as a result of job loss and high medical bills, and were living in a camper and an old recreational vehicle. Their former home, a 1960s vintage mobile home, was no longer habitable, and the two could not afford to buy another nor could they get a loan to finance one.

After hearing about the family's need, Hicks said one of Freddie's former high school classmates pledged to come out and help clear the property they live on. That same classmate also posted information about the family on a nationwide Web site.

Hicks said the Democratic Party of Cape Girardeau County and Teen Challenge both made generous donations, and most of the money came from individuals who came to the fundraiser and gave donations.

"There are some great people here," she said.

Organizers are hoping to raise at least $12,000 more to buy a good used mobile home, Hicks said, and are now working on ideas for other ways to help raise money.

With the $2,000 they have in hand, along with the offer to help clear land, Hicks said she's optimistic that June and Freddie can at least get a septic system put in and connected to the housing they have until they can eventually move in a different mobile home.

Donations of money or in-kind help can still be made by calling Hicks at Immediate HealthCare, 339-2000, or by sending donations to US Bank, 3060 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63703, attention Bankers.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160