Jesse Kolk and Maria Gonzalez
OAKHURST — The nonprofit group Helping One Woman (HOW) will meet for an uplifting fundraising dinner in honor of Maria Gonzalez on Wednesday, May. 16 at Sweetwater Steakhouse, starting at 6 p.m.
HOW meets monthly to celebrate one deserving woman who receives the community’s support when she needs it the most.
Maria has lived in the mountains since she was a teenager, and finished both junior and senior years at Yosemite High School with a 3.7 grade point average. In the years since, say organizers at HOW, the hardworking young woman has always held two jobs, between Sweetwater Steakhouse, State Farm, and Pak ‘n Page in Oakhurst — and she is known and loved by many. It was while working at Sweetwater in Oakhurst, a few years back, that Maria met Jesse Kolk.
“It was true love from the start,” HOW says. By the fall of 2016 they were expecting their first child, and they were ecstatic. The following summer, just one week before their due date — tragedy.
“On June 22 , 2017, their precious baby boy had an umbilical cord accident and their angel gained his wings. It’s been a very emotional journey. Thankfully, their love for each other has grown even stronger.”
This event is an opportunity for the community to come out and show support for Maria. Those participating in the HOW benefit will offer $10 or more as a suggested donation for Maria and pay for their own dinner. Proceeds from the event go directly to Maria at the end of the evening.
Please RSVP to Tokens at (559) 658-5428 with the number in your party, or if you have any contributions or questions.
Sweetwater Steakhouse is located at 41177 Highway 41 in Oakhurst.
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.”
Do you know a woman who is going through a time of irreplaceable loss? Bring her name to the next 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.”
Contact howoakhurstchapter@gmail.com
