I’m behind in updating you all on the efforts to help “A Soldier in Need” which I first blogged about back on October 5. In a nutshell, Jimmy Katches contracted Lyme Disease while in the United States Army but the Veteran’s Administration denied medical treatment. So we decided as a community to step up and help.

A great friend here in Colfax, Stephanie Gargan, scheduled a fundraiser at the local community center. Many of us posted about this on blogs, Facebook and Twitter. And the response was amazing! You might say “some gave…even more retweeted!”

The total amount raised for Jimmy’s treatment was $20,000, which I’m told by his wife Kristi will get them at least 18 months of treatment with antibiotics and a PICC line — which has every potential of curing the Lyme Disease permanently. In addition, both Sutter Health and Dr. Jared Thomas stepped up some free treatment, so this family has an amazing chance to put this health issue behind them.

I know none of these folks gave for personal recognition, but it’s appropriate to thank them here:

• Cindy Burtt
• Samuel Carstenson
• Mark Chesner
• Christine Grabyan
• Dave and Aimee Rohrer
• Rebecca Sadler
• Dr. Jared Thomas (free medical care)
• Meredith Turney
• 2 Anonymous Donors (I know who you are, and thank you again!)

To me, this is a little picture of what makes America great. Not sitting around and waiting for a government 3,000 miles away to do something, but a community of people stepping up to help their brother or sister in need. That’s exactly what we were all privileged to do with the Katches family, and thank you for being a part of it.