By Staff
NILES -With rising gas prices and growing grocery bills, it is still the simple acts of kindness that make the biggest impact.
Jimmy Haynes would appreciate the craftsmanship. A woodworker himself, he could imagine the measuring and the planning that went into the ramp good neighbors built for him.
Haynes, father, grandfather and soul-mate to his wife Beverly, only got to use the ramp one time before he succumbed to the cancer that had metastasized from his lungs to his brain, April 24.
To Beverly that does not diminish the help offered by those who cared enough to make even that one trip out possible.
Hospice at Home put out the word that the aluminum ramp they originally tried would not hold his wheelchair and members of the community responded.
Pastor Mark Youngberg of Calvary Road Community Church, manager, Scott Foley of Big C Lumber in Eau Claire, Robert Krause at Tem-Pace Incorporated of Niles joined with Hospice at Home to make the ramp a reality.
The days since Jimmy died have been difficult. Even a pittance of $10, offered through the government to get some groceries, was withdrawn after his death. With savings depleted and bills continuing following such a tragedy, Beverly has returned to work at Fapco in Buchanan. They have been very good to her she said, but nothing can replace the husband with whom she shared over 40 years.
Each day she returns home and sees the ramp, the caring of strangers made possible and remembers that last trip outside with Jimmy. A reminder of how much her husband appreciated working with wood and of how important good neighbors are when life throws you a curve.
The Jimmy Haynes Memorial Fund has been set up by Calvary Road Community Church to help Beverly with expenses following her husband's death. One hundred percent of donations will go to the widow. Call Pastor Mark Youngberg at (268) 208-4715 for details.