AHWAHNEE — Join friends and neighbors at The Hitchin’ Post on Wednesday, May 15, as the nonprofit group Helping One Woman (HOW) honors Kim Andrews. The event begins at 6 p.m. and you’ll be greeted at the door for sign-in. Your reservation will secure a seat for your meal and tables will be shared as the community gathers to support this local family in their time of need.
“Kim Andrews’ husband, Jim, cut his finger while doing repair work on a house for a client,” say sponsors Kris Rush and Kathleen Owens. “No one thought anything about it. Many construction guys cut themselves deeply and just cover it with duct tape and go on.”
About three days later, Jim had flu-like symptoms, and on the fourth day he became incoherent.
“The familiy took him to Clovis Community Hospital ER and discovered that his brain had swollen. One thing developed into another, including a blood infection near the heart.”
On Sunday, Mar. 10, Kim’s husband of 38 years passed away peacefully surrounded by family who had no idea, at the time, what pain they would endure or how hard it would be to lose a husband, father and grandfather.
“No one can be prepared for that kind of loss, nor the speed with which it happened,” HOW organizers add. “Jim shared his love and sense of humor with many people in our community and will be missed greatly.
“Jim worked tirelessly throughout their marriage so that Kim could stay home and raise their children. He didn’t have life or health insurance. The gifts given at this HOW dinner will help Kim with upcoming financial hardships that go along with end of life care, and in learning how to survive without Jim’s presence.”
The community is invited to join together at the Hitching Post to show Kim an abundance of love and support in her time of loss. Please RSVP to Tokens at (559) 658-5428 with the number in your party, or if you have any contributions or questions.
HOW meets monthly to celebrate one deserving woman who receives the community’s support when she needs it the most. Those participating in the HOW benefit will offer $10 or more as a suggested donation for Kim and pay for their own dinner as usual. Proceeds from the May event go directly to Kim at the end of the evening.
Recipients of HOW are always a woman who is going through a time of irreplaceable loss or who has been through a period of loss within the last 12 months. Irreplaceable loss is defined as a catastrophic loss which cannot be recovered.
HOW says that “one woman with $10 can buy another woman lunch. Ten women giving $10 can buy another woman’s groceries. One hundred women giving $10 can really make a difference in another woman’s life.”
If you know a woman who is going through a time of irreplaceable loss, come to the May HOW meeting and nominate her to be the next recipient. Recipients are chosen in a public drawing.
“Remember that by helping one woman, we help one family and one community.”
Update on April dinner for Lisa Lewis.
Contact howoakhurstchapter@gmail.com
