Have A Heart and help out Lisle stroke victim at fundraiser
"How's Randi?"
Lisle Book Nook owner Kitty Murphy says she answers that question 100 times a day. Employee Jonnie Janowicki gets her share, too.
"There are so many regulars into the store that keep asking, 'How's Randi?' " Janowicki said. "I answer that she is slowly improving, going from walking with a walker to a cane, and does without both in her home. She has completed the speech therapy and her physical therapy continues."
"Phenomenal" is the word both Murphy and Janowicki use to describe long-time employee Randi Starnes, who suffered several strokes Dec. 12. Following an extended hospital stay, surgery and rehabilitation, Starnes has accumulated huge medical bills.
Unfortunately, Starnes is medically uninsured.
"While we don't expect to be able to take care of all of her problems," Murphy said, "we do have a goal to raise enough money to pay for her prescription medications for the year, which is $1,000 a month."
To do that, the two women have teamed up to host Have A Heart, an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner, silent auction and raffle from 4 to 9 p.m. Feb. 24 at Barone's of Lisle, 4729 Main St.
The goal is to sell 250 tickets; roughly half are sold already.
A Have A Heart account has been set up at Lisle Savings for direct donations.
"It is good to see our small town rally around her," Murphy said. "Our customers, and even strangers, have been wonderful, some giving $100 bills."
The event is an opportunity to do a good deed.
Some items in the auction include a $500 makeover from Tina's Closet, a silver and crystal bracelet from J. P. Martin Jewelers, three-month memberships to Arboretum Lakes Fitness Center, 10 gift baskets of Avon products valued at more than $100 each, four club level seats to the Milwaukee Brewers and a room makeover from interior decorator Diane Tuscher-Ancede.
Restaurant gift certificates come from Andrew's Open Pit Restaurant, Allgauer's in the Lisle Hilton, Chili's, Culver's, Country House, Fox Restaurant, Kona Coffee, Little Italian Pizza, Lou Malnati's Pizza, Olive Garden, Pazzo's Bar and Eatery, Pete & Johnny's and Yerbabuena.
Numerous other gift certificates and baskets are from Bruce's Hardware, Choice Eye Care, Flowers of Lisle, Hand 'N' Paw Pet Service, Jessen Upholstery, Lisle Lanes, Main Street Hair Co., Malloy's, The Pair Tree, Via Moda Salon, Wine Expressions and Zano's.
Blue Moon Printing and Barone's of Lisle have given their services for the fundraiser.
"It is beautiful to see that even though Lisle is growing, we still care enough to rally around one of our own," Murphy said.
Everyone would benefit from refreshing his or her knowledge on strokes.
Cardiologist Joseph Marek with the Midwest Heart Specialists said a stroke is impaired circulation to parts of the brain. He offered advice on recognizing warning signs of a stroke:
• loss of vision, or clear-cut foggy vision in one eye;
• inability to speak or trouble understanding speech;
• numbness or weakness on one side of the body, often in arm, leg or face;
• dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and
• sudden and severe headache, described as their worst headache ever.
"Someone may verify the weakness on one side of the face by looking in a mirror and smiling," Marek said. "They may realize their smile is no longer symmetrical but droops. With the arms, they may not lift the one arm up as high as the other."
A person could have only one of the above problems, depending on what area of the brain is affected.
"People need to know that any one of these symptoms needs immediate evaluation and time is of the essence," Marek said. "There are many things that can be done. Twenty years ago we did not have the resources we have today to help people."
Marek said denial is the biggest obstacle with a wait-and-see mindset. The cardiologist said a person needs to call 911 and get to the emergency room as quickly as possible.
"We pay taxes to have these services (such as 911) available to us," said Lt. James Caron of the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District. "We are trained to help in these situations. Firefighters would never be mad to come out."
For prevention, Marek said people need to have their blood pressure checked and kept under control.
"The people who are most in need of having their blood pressure checked are feeling well and they think they do not need to bother," Marek said.
Anyone 30 and older should have their blood pressure checked regularly, the doctor said.
Perhaps the Have A Heart event will raise awareness about strokes while helping take care of Starnes.
"We thank everybody for all the support," Janowicki said. "We want to let Randi know that she is so cared about. She is a phenomenal lady who wouldn't hesitate to help others."
Raffle items and monetary donations can be dropped off at the Lisle Book Nook this week. Tickets to the event are $25 and available at Lisle Book Nook, 4738 Main St.
"After 22 years of working here and smiling at customers, Randi built up a lot of relationships," Murphy said. "To know her is to love her."
If you go
What: Have A Heart benefit
Why: To raise money to help defray medical expenses for Lisle resident Randi Starnes
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Feb. 24
Where: Barone's of Lisle, 4729 Main St.
Details: All-you-can-eat buffet, silent auction and raffle
Tickets: $25, available at the Lisle Book Nook, 4738 Main St.
Info: (630) 968-0764