A friend in need , , ,

I need to help my friend, Kim. I keep thinking that we are all just an illness away from disaster. I hope you will read a bit about her situation, and if there is a way that you can help her that you will let me know.

Kim is 40, a wife, and the mother of three, from kindergarten age through high school. Her husband has worked for 17 years as a maintenance person for a local business, and she has worked hard for years. She does home health care for elderly, but recently her remaining client moved to an assisted living situation. She has been cleaning houses--she does my home and is the hardest working person I've seen.

She has M.S. and lupus, but despite this she and her family have gotten by. Now she has intestinal problems, and has to have a good portion--perhaps all--of her large intestine removed. The surgery is costly--not to mention she won't be able to work for quite some time.

Her family has no medical insurance, and they don't qualify for medical coupons, as her husband "makes too much." They have put their home with acreage in Selah up for sale, she has been selling household goods, doing whatever she can to try to make the house payments and electricity payments. She says the worst part is watching how the worry and uncertainty have aged her husband and affected her children. She recently cancelled medical appointments in Seattle for her M.S. follow-up--the gas is too costly to make the trip.

I am looking for some guidance and direction in how to help her. Here is what I am doing:

1. Our Tancara yard sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 5. I'm donating my proceeds to her. If you have any items to donate, I will work with you to get them here.
2. A bank account has been set up by some of her friends at Key Bank in the name of Kimberly Castro. Donations will be gratefully accepted.
3. I'm visiting my church this week to see if there is help for the immediate need of keeping her electricity on.
4. I'm working on a quilt. I'm hoping to sell raffle tickets on it--don't know if I have to go through the Gambling Commission--does anyone have info? When the time comes, if you are interested in buying--or selling--raffle tickets or putting them in your work place, I would appreciate that.
5. I've never set up a spaghetti feed or anything, but would work on a fundraiser if someone has the know-how.

Kim is a humble person. She never thought she would be in this situation. She's been denied help by D.S.H.S. and got no response from her church.

Thinking about her plight has kept me awake at night. Please excuse this lengthy plea, but I cannot just do nothing. Please contact me if you would like more info or have suggestions.