Goodwin benefit raises $20,000
Mary Hillerman takes a close look at a beautiful bracelet from among the myriad of silent auction items available during the Cole Goodwin benefit last Saturday night
FOUR-YEAR-OLD Lily Taylor, in the arms of her dad Michael, holds a seasoning set that was part of a silent auction offering last Saturday during the Cole Goodwin benefit at the Plains VFW.
A spaghetti benefit dinner was featured last Saturday evening at the Plains VFW. The event, which also featured silent and live auctions, was a fundraiser for Cole Goodwin. He is recovering from a serious vehicle crash on Sept. 27. Proceeds will go toward building a handicapped-accessible ramp at Goodwin’s home, widening the doorways and remodeling the bathroom. (Joe Sova photos/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Melody Taylor and her father Don Stotz prepare to make a bid during the silent auction at the Cole Goodwin benefit Saturday evening at the Plains VFW.
Sanders County folk, and many others from outside the area, turned out in droves for a Spaghetti Benefit Dinner last Saturday evening, Oct. 27 at the Plains VFW.
The event was a fundraiser to support the needs of Cole Goodwin, a 25-year-old Plains resident who was seriously injured in a car crash Sept. 28 on River Road West. He is currently confined to a wheelchair.
The intent was to raise funds to build a handicapped-accessible ramp at his home, plus widen the home’s doorways and remodel the bathroom. He lives with his younger brother, Logan.
During the evening, hundreds of people were served a spaghetti dinner, and there was a silent auction with many attractive, sought-after items, and rifle and 50/50 auction. The evening was capped by a live auction, with 2017 Plains High School graduate Jake Lile calling for bids.
Katie Hillerman, a friend of the Goodwin family, said Monday that more than $20,000 was raised. “A lot of contractors are donating their time,” she said, and there might be enough funds to help purchase a vehicle for Cole with hand controls.
“It was amazing,” she said. “Everybody was so nice. They gave us lots of neat stuff (for the silent and live auctions …We ran out of spaghetti!”
Cole’s sister Rachel Nore said he is currently at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute in Spokane, Wash.
“He’s doing really well,” Rachel said. “He’s working hard, so when he’s released he can be independent.”