Community to rally to help woman in need

Wednesday, October 7, 2009
By Nick Schneider, Assistant Editor

A benefit event for an eastern Greene County woman severely injured in an August traffic accident will be Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Eastern Greene Fire Station in Solsberry.

Wanda Deckard, of rural Solsberry, was seriously injured in a two-vehicle head-on crash Aug. 5 on State Road 45 -- just west of Breeden Road in Monroe County.

She suffered multiple injuries and was LifeLined from Bloomington Hospital to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Veteran Greene County minister, the Rev. Billy Ed Hostettler, died in the crash.

The 71-year-old Deckard suffered two broken wrists, a broken hip, broken ankle, broken knee, broken upper and lower back, broken collar bone, lung injuries and multiple contusions, according to Carolyn Arthur, a family friend, who is organizing the upcoming benefit.

Deckard's eastbound vehicle was hit head-on after Rev. Hostettler suffered a heart attack in his westbound car.

The benefit will feature live music from Greene County Sheriff Terry Pierce, who'll be joined by other talented musicians; a silent auction; a bake sale; and a dinner that will offer chili and beans with cornbread.

The silent auction will feature a variety of donated items and gift certificates from area merchants, according to Arthur.

"Wanda remained in the hospital for several weeks and has recently been released to a rehab center where she will have a very long recovery," Arthur said, "Her spirits are good. She has sure been a trooper through all of this. She broke just about every bone in her body."

She is currently a patient at Garden Villa Rehab Center in Bloomington and is planning to attend Saturday's benefit -- thanks to a donated ambulance ride from Monroe Hospital Ambulance Service, Arthur said.

"Our community would like to help the Deckard family with some of their expenses. We would like donations of plates, cups, forks, bowls, ingredients for chili, beans, cornbread, baked items for a bake sale, desserts, silent auction items or monetary donations," Arthur said.

She will be at the fire station on Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. to accept donated items.

"We also need help in serving, set-up and clean-up to help make this event a success," Arthur added.

Arthur pointed out that the area merchants have been very good about donating items to help out with this benefit.

One merchant, Marcy Cook, of Ella Mae's Boutique and Spa in Solsberry, is donating part of her proceeds from the entire month of October to the Deckard benefit with a validated card at the time of purchase. Cards will be available at Saturday's event, according to Arthur.

Contact Carolyn Arthur at 825-9114 for more information.

Get well cards and letter can be sent to Deckard at the following address:

Garden Villa,

1100 S. Curry Pike

Wanda Deckard, Room 208

Bloomington, Ind., 47403-2629

Comments

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This is what makes Greene County such a wonderful place to live, helping others in a time of need!

-- Posted by changeitup on Wed, Oct 7, 2009, at 6:36 PM

Now is time for all good people to come to the aid of their neighbor. I hope they raise a fortune for you mam.

-- Posted by andyandbarneyatmayberry on Wed, Oct 7, 2009, at 7:22 PM

You are both right and the world could use more of this type of events instead of so much hate. God bless every one who helps in this event.

-- Posted by hilltop on Wed, Oct 7, 2009, at 10:32 PM

Thank you to everyone involved in organizing this event. It means alot to know that there are so many caring people. Thank you for all of the cards, phone calls, visits, thoughts & especially all of the prayers that went up for Wanda, my Granny, throughout the accident, surgeries, and her recovery. I would like to add that I truly appreciate the Hostettler family's love, concern and kindness shown during all of this. I can't begin to imagine the loss they are suffering. They are wonderful examples of who Christ wants all of us to be.Without His healing power, Granny would not be where she is today. Above all, I thank my Gracious Lord & Savior for keeping His hand upon Granny and for all the lives that have been touched through His plan. We may question why things happen the way they do, but we must remember to trust in Him always.

-- Posted by CMM on Wed, Oct 7, 2009, at 10:58 PM

I would also like to thank everyone for everything that they have done for my grandma. It is because of the outpour of love from friends and family, and even strangers that has helped her heal. Thank you to the Hostettler family for the signed books, and flowers. We really appreciate everything! Our hearts go out to your family.Everyone is more than welcome on Saturday and she is really looking forward to getting out for a while! =)

-- Posted by JessicaH on Thu, Oct 8, 2009, at 2:25 PM