HELP AN HONORABLE FAMILY IN WEST GEORGIA.
Throughout my life, my experience with fundraisers has been for political events. I have always enjoyed them and will continue to be involved in politics in the future.

However, God has recently put before me a task much more important and honorable than any political fundraiser could ever be. I have been asked to take part in The Ride for SAW (Strong Amazing Woman).

Last fall, Karen Hubbard, a 42 year old mother of two, former member of the Douglasville Police Department, and Clerk of the Municipal Court of Douglasville suffered a traumatic brain injury. Doctors termed it an “out of nowhere, unforeseeable, catastrophic injury to the brain.”

I remember the day because her husband is one of my closest friends, Mike Hubbard. I will never forget the call he made to me as he rushed to the hospital. It will live with me for the rest of my life.

Karen and Mike are both lifelong west Georgia residents and are members of Shepherd of the Hills Methodist Church in Douglasville. Mike is a self-employed solo practitioner attorney with an office in Douglasville and has served as the solicitor for the City of Villa Rica for over four years.

When Karen arrived at the hospital, she was immediately set for surgery. While she was not expected to survive the surgery, she did so and spent 150 days in the hospital, much of which was in ICU. By the grace of God, medical personnel were able to save her life.

By the way, Mike was with her every single one of those 150 days and refused to leave her side until she was medically stable.

Karen is now at home, confined to a wheel chair, with limited ability to speak, eat, or drink. She requires round the clock 24/7 care. This has forced Mike to work part time and he has to pay a nurse or professional caretaker to care for Karen anytime he is in court, in the office, or running simple errands such as grocery shopping, banking, dry cleaning, etc.

Although Mike and Karen provided very adequate insurance for themselves, Karen’s medical bills are in the millions of dollars and the rehab needed to give her a chance at a quality life will cost well beyond what the insurance company can pay.

Karen has improved consistently and her primary physician (Dr. Amy Eubanks of Tanner in Villa Rica) is optimistic of her ability to recover IF she can get the necessary rehab.

This is why the benefit ride is so critically important. The event will take place on October 27, 2013. The route has been approved by the Georgia State Patrol and the ride will be escorted by the Douglasville Police Department. It will begin at Williamson Brothers Barbeque at 7040 Concourse Pkwy in Douglasville. $30 per bike and $10 for additional passenger includes meal at Williamson Bros when ride is complete. Registration begins at 10:00 and kickstands are up at noon.

The ride will be approximately 60 minutes and followed by lunch, a raffle with many prizes (real prizes such as electronics, handmade quilts, firearms, gift cards, etc.) You don’t have to be present to win.

Perhaps most importantly, we need many Sponsors to raise the funds necessary for Karen’s rehab. Sponsors will be recognized formally and on a banner. Gold ($1500), silver ($1000), and bronze ($500). Every single dime will go towards Karen’s rehab and medical expenses. Because of the current tax laws, checks need to be made payable to CDT Charities, LLC. The checks can be mailed to my office at 310 Tanner St., Carrollton, GA or to the Hubbard family. I have already committed to donating $1500.

I personally ask every single citizen of our community to consider participating in this extraordinary event. I have known this wonderful family for many years. I can say without reservation that Karen and Mike are both “pull their own weight” kind of people and refuse to ask for any help.

That is why we must choose to bring the help to them.