Teraji: You can help by donating used cardboard egg cartons
Rachel Perez knows from personal experience that the best
Count every day a blessing and carry on a fine Gilroy tradition – give
I hadn’t seen Karen – or her sister – in a while, but she was a thought that popped up a few times in my mind before getting buried by “the next” of a busy American life. Then, I got an email that directed me to a site and the news written by Liz Fortino Glass: “Karen Covington Fortino had an active, vibrant life as an aqua aerobic instructor, manager of a coffee house, barista and waitress at night. Then, during a routine doctor appointment on June 14, she was diagnosed with extreme hypertension … But that didn't get her down; she picked up the pieces … found another job at a doctor’s office and began a new journey … a few months later, Karen noticed a suspicious lump in the back of her throat … more bad news; there was a large mass and the diagnosis had progressed to stage 4 (cancer). The only good news: it was 90 percent curable.” “Barista” Karen – I use the term loosely and with affection – made my morning for years at the coffee shop downtown on Fifth and Monterey. Her personality, friendly greetings, banter on the Gilroy issues of the day and hearty laughter coupled with a “cup of Joe” were a true pick-me-up. Her insurance, of course, won’t begin to cover the treatment, so there’s a website called gofundme.com where you can help. A direct link is www.gofundme.com/4wlztk. There’s $6,500 in the help Karen kitty and every bit truly helps.
Smiles shared at Toy Giveaway
What do you have when you gather together 37 dozen tamales, a woman named Kathi Mendez dressed in a Santa suit, a six-foot tall elf named Lee Hill, 29 families and 57 children who need toys? The most joyous event of the holidays this season—the Toy Giveaway.
