Wow! We have a tremendously giving community. I ran an article about my neighbor Barb and her family in the Feb. 24 edition of our paper. Barb is in her eighth decade of life and is single-handedly raising her two wonderful grandsons, plus caring for her husband Harold who was recently put in an assisted living home, and she really needs a gas efficient car that is safe to drive. I had opened an account called Wheels of Love on their behalf at Nevada State Bank in Gardnerville (inside Smiths). The account will remain open (at least) through the end of April for those who still would like to contribute.
The community has responded and the Wheels of Love account for the purchase of a car for the Jacobs family is growing. Besides the generous direct monetary donations from the following community members: Alan Phillips, James Joseph, Pauline Gordon, Betti C., Rita Lantis, Maralyn and Mike Vadnais, Marcia Tarnowske, Vince and Adele Guadazno, Andy and Carol Aldax, Knights of Columbus-4th Degree, Ray and Jack Wilson, Sheri Ryan, Judy DuBois, Coastal Aire, Pete and Sylvia Smith, Cliff and Shirley Hauser, Linda and Chuck Fields, Emma L. Vetter, Marion Barritt, Gary and Judy Williams, some others who have chosen to remain anonymous, and those who have contributed since this was written, many have reached out to help in other ways as well. I have received calls offering assistance for my neighbor Barb and her family in many forms, including assistance with financial matters from a resident professional financial advisor Jon Park, help with getting the family pets groomed from DAWG, and other civic groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Harold served in the Marines) and the Knights of Columbus, who are looking at hosting benefits to assist this amazing family.
One local businesswoman who wanted to get more involved has set the wheels in motion for a spaghetti feed dinner to benefit the Jacobs. She has gathered some wonderful raffle prizes for a drawing from our business community including: dinner for two at the JT Basque Bar & Dining Room, horseback riding lessons from Sunset Stables, a romantic basket from Naughty & Nice, and low heat spa treatments from Shear Heaven, a massage from Muscle Manipulators, a spa packet from Danielle at Ala Carte Nails, and I know there are also a few others in the works. If a business owner wishes to contribute a raffle prize, please contact Jenifer Haase at Orchard Antiques at 1459 Hightway 395 in Gardnerville. 782-6191. We've also received a donation of entertainment during the dinner from the Tumbleweeds Gymnastics group.
Thank you for your generosity thus far, thanks to you a car is in the works.
The spaghetti, salad, and garlic french bread dinner is 5:30 - 9 p.m. March 24 upstairs at Sharkey's.
Tickets will be $10 per adult, $5 per child or $25 for a family ticket (limit of 6 people). Raffle tickets will be sold at the dinner for $3 each, or 10 tickets for $20.
Dinner and raffle tickets will be available at many locations, please call Jen at Orchard Antiques 782-6191 (1459 Highway 395 in Gardnerville) for a complete list.
We also will sell tickets at the door, but request that you plan ahead and purchase in advance to help us be fairly accurate in our preparations.
Once the dinner is completed, we will take all of the proceeds, combine them with the Wheels of Love account donations, and purchase a car for the Jacobs family. I promise one final article to let everyone who has been so gracious and generous know what vehicle was purchased due to your help. I thank God for all of the people who have stepped up and blessed my neighbors. On a personal note, Harold, Barbara, and the boys have been overwhelmed and amazed by your generosity for their family. Thank you Carson Valley residents (and beyond).
-- J. Blaha is a Gardnerville Ranchos resident.
