Officer's friends asking for your help
Rob Pierson was just trying to provide for his family. Now his friends and fellow police officers are going to try to help take care of him.
And they hope you'll also help the young Lake in the Hills police officer who faces a monumental challenge. Rob fell 25 feet from a ladder, crushing two vertebrae, at the end of July.
"He has a long haul in front of him," said Misty Clemons, a friend who is an Algonquin police officer. "There's a good chance he'll never be a police officer again."
"He's just an all-around nice guy, always willing to help people," said Patty Strickland, another friend who also is an Algonquin police officer.
They are among many in law enforcement who want to help the officer who had been painting a house in Huntley while off duty. Airlifted to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital after the accident, he now faces extensive rehabilitation and therapy and an uncertain future.
F.O.R. -- Friends of Rob -- invite us all to help defray medical and living costs for Rob, his wife, Kelly, and their two little girls by joining in their two-part fundraiser Sept. 30.
Those of you with motorcycles can join in the 100-mile motorcycle ride, akin to a Poker Run (get a playing card at each of five stops with winner holding the best poker hand), departing from the Woodstock Harley Davidson dealership on Route 47.
The rest of us can enjoy a pig roast and sides, live music and raffles at 4 p.m. at the Cottage, 6 E. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake. It's $15 for the pig roast and $25 for the ride, including the roast, if you preregister.
"All proceeds will go to Rob and his family," Patty said. "The more money we raise, the more they'll have."
If you'd like to sign up or just want to donate, e-mail the committee at for.fund@hotmail.com.
Locks of love
Morgan Payne's first real haircut drew a crowd. And a lot of hair. The 6-year-old donated 14 inches of her blond locks and still had plenty left. Surrounded by her three sisters and several family members, the Carpentersville girl smiled after Laura Grimaldi, of Opulence Hair Salon on Route 31 in Carpentersville, did the honors.
"I'm happy," she said as her sisters, Amanda, 12, Erica, 9, and Kelsey, 9, all said they thought it was "pretty cool" their sister would help others this way.
Opulence, by the way, offers a free cut to anyone donating their hair to Locks of Love, which provides wigs for children, many of whom are cancer patients. Call (847) 426-1011 for details.
Ready, set, fest!
No one has to go far for fun this weekend. Check out plenty to do in West Dundee Friday through Sunday at the annual Heritage Fest, which includes music, food and fireworks tonight. Civil War encampments and historic re-enactments, arts and crafts and plenty more.
You 33½ fans don't want to miss the band's performance at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Grafelman Park. Go to www.west-dundee.il.us for more info.
On Sunday, stop by East Dundee's River Street Art Fair and Wine Tasting. And don't forget the Dundee Road Race. Registration is at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m., start times that make the Lions Club Community Breakfast on the other side of the river sound divine to the walkers among us.
Pasta, anyone?
For those wanting a little pasta, stop by the First Congregational Church of Carpentersville, 30 N. Washington St., for the all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday. It's $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. You'll enjoy a salad bar, spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread, a drink and dessert.
Got skates?
Doug MacDonald of the Leafs Hockey Club asked me to let you know the Leafs Ice Centre in West Dundee is now open. Better still, they're offering some free youth and adult hockey sessions at the rink, which is on Route 72 next to Dundee Middle School. That's west of Randall Road on the north side of the road. Public skating starts in October. You can get lots more information at ww.leafsicecentre.com. Lace up and join in.
Need toys?
Barb Olsson invites us all to stop by 1750 Cumberland Parkway in Algonquin from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Saturday for the Kids' Toy Sale. More than 40 families are pooling their toys, books, videos, games and more to raise money for refugee children in Kenya through Bright Hope International.
Walk, don't drive
Am I the only one who thinks a certain Algonquin couple needs to get their brakes checked more often? Or consider walking?