| OCR Text |
Show Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, January 19-22, 2019 B-7 The Park Record Friends raise funds for furloughed Forest Service worker’s medical bills No payday for family of newborn with illness SCOTT CONDON The Aspen Times ASPEN, Colo. – The stress for furloughed employees over not knowing when they will be back to work and collecting a paycheck is tough enough. Circumstances are even more daunting right now for U.S. Forest Service employee Bret Conant and his family. Bret’s wife, Esther, gave birth to their second child on Jan. 3. Lars was born at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, and it was soon determined that he had an intestinal blockage that required surgery at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver. “He had surgery, then was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis,” Bret said via telephone Thursday from the hospital. The Conants have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Denver, just a few blocks from the hospital. “Those guys do an amazing job,” Bret said. Having that resource has been a huge relief for the couple. Nevertheless, they are racking up expenses being away from home. Conant said his health insurance through the Forest Service is still in effect, but his family will soon be billed for the deductible and charges that aren’t covered. The recovery process is expected to keep Lars at the Denver hospital for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, like other furloughed federal workers, Conant isn’t collecting a pay- COURTESY PHOTO Esther and Bret Conant with their infant son, Lars. check. The partial government hits day 28 today. He is an engineering technician in the White River National Forest. His work takes him throughout the 2.3 million-acre forest, including the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District. Conant said his family’s situation drives home the fact that federal workers need to be collecting their pay. “People have lives — they need to get a paycheck to deal with everyday life,” he said. “I wouldn’t be back working even if the government was open right now, but at least I’d be getting a check.” A GoFundMe page was started by Denise Barkhurst, whose husband is Bret’s supervisor. Her husband told her about the Conants’ situation and she was stirred to action even though she has not met the family. “I don’t know them,” she said. “I’ve never met them.” But Barkhurst said their plight reminded her of how worried she and her husband were when their now-grown son was facing serious illness when he was just 18 months old. “That was the most scared I’ve ever been,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine being that scared and not having a paycheck. “Somebody had to step up and do something.” Barkhurst had never started a GoFundMe page but consulted with a friend and easily tackled it. She sleuthed to get personal phone numbers and email addresses from Forest Service workers, who cannot use their government-issued methods of communication during the shutdown, to collect information and share word of the fundraising effort. She was humble Thursday about the effort. “It was a human thing to do,” she said. The GoFundMe page can be found by searching the Conants’ name on http://www.gofundme. com. The fundraising effort will help the family handle expenses. “We’re just really grateful for the support,” Bret said, noting it will be a big help when the medical bills arrive. Conant said he isn’t taking sides in the fight between Democrats in Congress and President Donald Trump that led to the shutdown. He just finds the situation frustrating and he feels particularly bad for employees who are required to work but aren’t getting paid. “On behalf of all federal employees who are laid off right now, I feel violated,” he said. “I work hard for the agency I work for. I try to do the best job I can as a public servant.” Conant said his family is optimistic for Lars’ recovery from surgery. In addition, there have been advances in the treatment of cystic fibrosis that give the family hope for the future. Some of the petS at NuzzleS & Co. lookiNg for love These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Biscuit Brooke Maximus Parker Biscuit is a 2-year-old cattle dog mix. He is an energetic guy who is always moving! He’s an active guy who would learn quickly with a bit of training. He loves to walk and run, so he would make a great outdoors partner. Biscuit does well with other animals, too! Meet Brooke, a 1-year-old Lab mix. She is shy until she gets to know you, and then she is a dream! Brooke does well around cats and other dogs. If you are willing to be patient and give her lots of love, she will be your best friend for life! Maximus is a 10-year-old terrier mix. This senior gentleman is shy and timid but does well around cats and other small dogs. Once he bonds with you, he loves to be held and snuggled.Maximus needs a peaceful and loving home and will be a loyal friend! This energetic boy is Parker, a 3-year-old Lab ix! He is a bundle of love and energy. Parker does well around cats and other dogs. He loves to play and loves attention! Parker will be a great running or hiking partner because he will need lots of exercise! Cation Flower Sissy Sophia Cation is a mellow and sweet Domestic Shorthair with a gorgeous tabby coat. She’s about two years old. Cation gets along well with other cats and enjoys snuggling with people. She is a relaxed cat who would enjoy a peaceful forever home where she can snooze the day away. Flower is a 9-month-old brown tabby Domestic Shorthair. He is a shy little guy, but we know that with a little time and TLC, his personality will blossom! Flower is sure to be a loving and loyal companion to his forever family for years to come. Sissy is a sweet and mellow Domestic Shorthair with a brown tabby coat. She’s about 8 years old. Sissy is a bit shy at first but does enjoy the company of humans that she feels comfortable around. She would be happy in a relaxed and peaceful forever home. Sophia is a charismatic 5-yearold Lynx Point Siamese. She is curious, outgoing, and loves to spend time with people. Sophia is a sophisticated lady who would love to spend her days curled up on the lap of her favorite person or lounging near a sunny window. WaNted: voluNteerS These Organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words Wasatch Womenade Wasatch Womenade is a nonprofit providing financial assistance to local women and children in need. Volunteers are needed to host small social gatherings as mini-fundraisers for victims of domestic violence. The group’s mission is to provide aid for items outside the scope of what beneficiaries could otherwise provide. Beneficiaries include Peace House, the Children’s Justice Center and the Summit County Victim’s Assistant Program. Visit wasatchwomenade.org for details. To host an event, contact Jane Morrison at 435-645-8764, wasatchwomenade@gmail.com. Alf Engen Ski Museum Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation is seeking volunteers to help with museum educational field trips. Responsibilities include guiding and educating students about the history of skiing, snow sports and the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Volunteers must enjoy interacting with elementary students and have a passion for ski and snow sports history. Educational field trips typically run either on a Wednesday or Friday morning. You can check out museum details at www.engenmuseum.org. If interested, please email cnelson@uolf.org or call Connie Nelson at 435-658-4240. Youth Enrichment Services YES, Youth Enrichment Services, is a not-for-profit organization of professionals who specialize in local small-business enrichment programs and services for children in the Park City community. The mission of YES is to provide parents with free information and resources while supporting local businesses. Check out Yespc.org. YES needs volunteers to help with a variety of projects. YES is flexible and would appreciate any time you could offer. The group is also looking for a high school/college intern to help with upcoming growth plans and events. Please contact Rebecca Tibbits at 718-916-7136 or rebecca@yespc.org. Applegate Home Care & Hospice Applegate Home Care & Hospice is welcoming volunteers to join its team of caring professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others. The hospice volunteer offers service, compassion, and a listening ear to clients and their families. If you would like to volunteer or want to learn more about volunteering with Applegate, please contact the hospice volunteer coordinator at 800-871-0102 or visit applegatehomecare.com. For a full list of volunteer opportunities, visit parkrecord.com/volunteers |
