Love Thy Neighbor Benefit Concert to Build a Home for Low-Income, Injured Van Zandt Man
A Whatcom County man was in a chainsaw accident on July 7th, cutting his arm 95% off. Flown to Harborview, after 8 hours of surgery, the arm was saved. No one knew that their neighbor's old home had been severely burned inside, two winters prior. The community has united to raise funds and build their neighbor a new, safe home. An up-coming concert, with many performers, is part of this love-in-action effort.
Van Zandt, WA, September 06, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Love Thy Neighbor. The simple, age-old golden rule. Easy to say but not always easy to do.
But, in the tiny town of Van Zandt, a quiet 67-year-old single man, who has lived in the valley for 37 years has become a huge example of this this truth.
On July 7th, Jerry Bajema (pronounced By-ma) was on a ladder cutting branches with his chainsaw to prepare a site for his firewood leanto. The saw kicked back and cut Bajema's arm 95% off. Falling from the ladder, his hand then fell on the still-moving chain. Bajema knew he only had minutes, and managed to get himself into his house and called 911. Medics arrived just in time.
Bajema was take to emergency in Bellingham, where his neighbor, Laurie Lewis arrived in time to identify him and searching through his bloody clothing for his wallet. As Bajema became conscious of the ER room, Lewis was there to assure him she would take care of his home and dogs. The two share the same birthday and have known each other for 37 years. "While it was very hard to see my friend in such condition, for Jerry to have someone to say goodbye to as they took him to the helicopter- was a great honor for me," says Lewis.
Bajema was flown to Seattle's Harborview where his arm was reattached by 7 surgeons in 8 hours. He remained in the hospital for 2 weeks. Meanwhile, Lewis and her family discovered upon opening Bajema's front door of his falling down porch, that his home had been severely burned inside. Bajema cooked and heated only with an old Monarch-type wood stove. Everywhere they looked the ceilings, walls and personal belongings were blackened. When Bajema was stable, Lewis was able to question him about the accident. She learned that it had occurred 2 winters ago, when he was trying to dry wet wood out to heat his home. Embers caught his woodbox on fire. He had stepped out for a walk and when he returned the kitchen was ablaze. He put the fire out but the damage had blown out windows and charcoaled everything. Doing his best to plastic over the windows, unable to pay for any repairs, Bajema just kept quiet, and carried on.
Lewis rallied neighbors and friends and with Bajema's blessing, moved his salvagable belongings into a storage tent, began fundraising, and in less that 2 months, neighbors have watched miracles unfold. Bajema is staying in a small RV trailer on his beautiful land. His arm and hand are healing at record speed. He will have to undergo a second surgery around the New Year, to repair the lost tendon that made his wrist move.
Initially, Lewis was hoping to find a singlewide mobile home to replace his house, but another neighbor, Kara Deyerin made cold calls to contractors in hopes someone would build a stick house for Bajema. Mechak Drew of Squalicum Builders in Bellingham, answered the call, literally. Stepping up to oversee an entire building, all permits for new septic and a 750 s.f. home have been designed and approved, the foundation is dug and Sept. 15th is the set date to frame and raise the walls.
About $10,000 is still needed to cover all the costs. So Lewis and her family, (Wes, Laurie and Callie Lewis aka Calico Hearts) are going to perform and host a multi-performer concert on Sunday Sept 23rd, at the Mount Baker High School in Deming at 3:00PM, $10 a seat, at the door. Lewis hopes this will bring in a substancial amount as well as publicly celebrate the outpouring and inspiring "Love Thy Neighbor" message.
For more information on Jerry Bajema's amazing story you can visit and/or donate online at www.ahomeforjerry.weebly.com
You can also drop off donations at any Peoples Bank in whatcom County and/or mail in to Peoples at P O BOX 349, Everson, WA 98247 under the account name: Jerry Bajema Benefit Account
Contact Laurie at ahorselovinheart@gmail.com for more information on how to help, contribute or directions to the show.
But, in the tiny town of Van Zandt, a quiet 67-year-old single man, who has lived in the valley for 37 years has become a huge example of this this truth.
On July 7th, Jerry Bajema (pronounced By-ma) was on a ladder cutting branches with his chainsaw to prepare a site for his firewood leanto. The saw kicked back and cut Bajema's arm 95% off. Falling from the ladder, his hand then fell on the still-moving chain. Bajema knew he only had minutes, and managed to get himself into his house and called 911. Medics arrived just in time.
Bajema was take to emergency in Bellingham, where his neighbor, Laurie Lewis arrived in time to identify him and searching through his bloody clothing for his wallet. As Bajema became conscious of the ER room, Lewis was there to assure him she would take care of his home and dogs. The two share the same birthday and have known each other for 37 years. "While it was very hard to see my friend in such condition, for Jerry to have someone to say goodbye to as they took him to the helicopter- was a great honor for me," says Lewis.
Bajema was flown to Seattle's Harborview where his arm was reattached by 7 surgeons in 8 hours. He remained in the hospital for 2 weeks. Meanwhile, Lewis and her family discovered upon opening Bajema's front door of his falling down porch, that his home had been severely burned inside. Bajema cooked and heated only with an old Monarch-type wood stove. Everywhere they looked the ceilings, walls and personal belongings were blackened. When Bajema was stable, Lewis was able to question him about the accident. She learned that it had occurred 2 winters ago, when he was trying to dry wet wood out to heat his home. Embers caught his woodbox on fire. He had stepped out for a walk and when he returned the kitchen was ablaze. He put the fire out but the damage had blown out windows and charcoaled everything. Doing his best to plastic over the windows, unable to pay for any repairs, Bajema just kept quiet, and carried on.
Lewis rallied neighbors and friends and with Bajema's blessing, moved his salvagable belongings into a storage tent, began fundraising, and in less that 2 months, neighbors have watched miracles unfold. Bajema is staying in a small RV trailer on his beautiful land. His arm and hand are healing at record speed. He will have to undergo a second surgery around the New Year, to repair the lost tendon that made his wrist move.
Initially, Lewis was hoping to find a singlewide mobile home to replace his house, but another neighbor, Kara Deyerin made cold calls to contractors in hopes someone would build a stick house for Bajema. Mechak Drew of Squalicum Builders in Bellingham, answered the call, literally. Stepping up to oversee an entire building, all permits for new septic and a 750 s.f. home have been designed and approved, the foundation is dug and Sept. 15th is the set date to frame and raise the walls.
About $10,000 is still needed to cover all the costs. So Lewis and her family, (Wes, Laurie and Callie Lewis aka Calico Hearts) are going to perform and host a multi-performer concert on Sunday Sept 23rd, at the Mount Baker High School in Deming at 3:00PM, $10 a seat, at the door. Lewis hopes this will bring in a substancial amount as well as publicly celebrate the outpouring and inspiring "Love Thy Neighbor" message.
For more information on Jerry Bajema's amazing story you can visit and/or donate online at www.ahomeforjerry.weebly.com
You can also drop off donations at any Peoples Bank in whatcom County and/or mail in to Peoples at P O BOX 349, Everson, WA 98247 under the account name: Jerry Bajema Benefit Account
Contact Laurie at ahorselovinheart@gmail.com for more information on how to help, contribute or directions to the show.
Contact
Under The Rainbow Creations
Laurie Lee Lewis
360-904-3872
www.ahorselovinheart.com
Please email Laurie for additional photos.
Laurie Lee Lewis
360-904-3872
www.ahorselovinheart.com
Please email Laurie for additional photos.
Contact
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