Wing returns support to one of its founders
Wings Week May 2-9, supports cancer victims
by Kootenai Valley Record
May 4, 2009
Connie Wood was already a cancer survivor when she helped Wings Regional Cancer Support get off the ground in 1995. This year, fighting a recurrence of the disease, it’s her turn to get help from the organization that provides assistance with out-of-pocket expenses – like gas, food and lodging – associated with cancer treatment but not covered by insurance.
"It was very difficult," Wood said. "I’ve been doing this for 22 years, working with cancer patients, helping other people, and it’s very hard to get help for yourself."
Wood said she understands now why she’s always had to work so hard to talk other people into accepting help from Wings.
"I had people tell me, ‘If you don’t use Wings I won’t support it anymore,’" she said.
Another cancer survivor turned Wings supporter, Kathy Dunham, is also battling a recurrence of cancer this year. Dunham and Wood are providing mutual support while doing what they can to help Wings with its 13th annual "Wings Week" fundraiser.
"We take turns having hair," Dunham joked.
Wings Week gets started on Saturday, May 2, with a Cinco de Mayo dinner at the Yaak Tavern. The Mexican buffet dinner starts at 6 p.m. with tickets priced at $10 per person. There will be raffles and an auction after dinner. For more information, call the Yaak Mercantile 406-295-5159.
Bowling tournaments to benefit Wings are scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, at Lincoln Lanes in Libby and Trojan Lanes in Troy. The no-tap tournaments are for four-person teams. For more information on the Libby tournament, call Peggy Craver at 406-293-7842; for Troy, call 406-295-5024.
Wednesday, May 6, is Dollar Day. Volunteer "Wings Walkers," including regiments of Libby Middle School eighth-graders, will canvass neighborhoods seeking donations. The Wings Clowns will be going from business to business in downtown Libby throughout the day. Walkers will meet at 5 p.m. at the fire hall in Libby and at the park in Troy. For more information on the Libby walk, call Connie Wood in Libby at 293-4380. For information on the Troy walk, call Judy Orr at 295-4536 or 295-4773.
The week will wrap up on Saturday, May 9, with the third annual Wings Spaghetti Feed at the Elks Lodge in Libby. Featuring Jon Dunham’s special homemade sauce, the dinner starts at 5:30. The evening will include a silent auction. Tickets are $8 and are available at the door.
Since 1997, Wings has helped around 1,800 people with grants totaling more than $1 million. In 2008, Wings helped 137 people in Lincoln County with $86,331, 93 in Flathead County with $61,771, and 11 in Lake County with $8,229.
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Editor’s Note: See the April 28, 2009 edition of the Kootenai Valley Record for the printed version of this story. The Kootenai Valley Record publishes once a week, now on Tuesday, in Libby, Montana. They are a locally owned community newspaper, located at 403 Mineral Avenue in Libby. For in-county and out-of-county subscription information, call 406-293-2424, or e-mail kvrecord@gmail.com.
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