Community support makes Faeo family fund-raiser success

On June 8, the Kenai Writers' Group, along with a lot of their friends, hosted a very successful fund-raiser for Heather Faeo, the 14-year-old Nikiski girl who was struck by a car on the Kenai Spur Highway on May 17. Heather's mother, Laura, is a member of both the Kenai Writers' Group and the Kenai Potters' Guild.

First on the list for thanks is the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center and staff, which opened its doors to the event, and especially Jay Barrett, who was a constant source of support and advice. Special thanks to Carol Ford, who emceed the entertainment; Larry Dean, who auctioned off items that the community donated; Absinthe, the musical group who made a special effort to quickly learn and play Heather's favorite song; Bill Zumwalt, who ran the sound system; Lou Heite, who organized the musicians and played the prelude; and Joe Ray Skrha, who videotaped the entire event for Heather and opened the event with a musical performance. Laura Faeo was able to attend the event and inform those present of Heather's condition, which is improving every day. All proceeds will go to help with Heather's ongoing needs.

In addition, we wish to express gratitude and thanks to all the individuals and businesses who so generously donated money, time, talent and products to help make this event a success, as well as those who attended and bid on auction items or donated money or other help, just a few of whom are: Alaska Carnival (the Legacy Group, Inc.); Dave Atcheson; Body, Mind and Spirit; Carol Brenckle; Carrs Grocery, Ida Cockcroft; Beverly Dean; Lee Gattenby; Gretchan Granaeff and Rob Ernst; Heazlett Family; Billie Rae Parrish; Kenai River early music ensemble with JD Uponen and Barbara McNinch; Food for the Soul; Nancy Anderson; Ewa Jankowska; Kenai Peninsula Public Radio; Tammy Kraxberger; KSRM Radio; Charlie LaForge; Jacki Michals; Delphia Nelson; Rob and Julia Niederhauser; Peninsula Clarion; Esther Reinhart; Malfunction Junction; Victoria Steik; Verdran Jukic; Kelsey Meglechsen; Joe Reinhardt; Debbie Clonen; Blue Moon Revue featuring Whitey Dyment and John Swanson; Keely Boyle; Nikiski High School Alumni Quartet; Chillbillies; Peggy Gill Thompson; Veronica's Coffee House; Carol Walkiewicz; Marge Ware; Barbara Waters; Kacky Wells; Elizabeth West; Marilyn Wheeless; Virginia Walters; all other members of the Kenai Potters Guild; Kenai City Council member Ozzie Osborne; Jim Heim; Bruce Schirmers; Barbara Christian; all other Kenai library staff and friends who donated baked goods for the auction; Brent Johnson; VFW Ladies Auxiliary; and last but not least the famous person "Anony-mous" who so generously provides money and products for local events.

We would like to acknowledge, as well, those musicians and readers who volunteered but whom we were unable to accommodate, timewise, on the schedule. Next time, folks! If we've left your name off this list, it is entirely inadvertent. We certainly do appreciate all who participated; without any one of you it would not have been a success. Continue to keep Heather and Laura in your thoughts as they begin this journey down the road to recovery.

Marilyn Wheeless, Kenai Writers' Group