Community reaches out to help family

The Sisters community can help provide financial support for medical expenses being incurred by Sisters resident Jim Erickson and his wife, Jackie, through the online fundraising site https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/yb57/help-jim-amp-jackie-pay-medical-expenses.

On Sunday, December 21, Erickson suffered a massive heart attack that put him in full cardiac arrest. He was airlifted to St. Charles Medical Center. Because Jim had been without oxygen for at least 10 minutes when his daughter, Trish, found him, his family was told to prepare for the worst.

The family received what they consider their Christmas miracle when Jim survived and began the slow process of recovery. He remains in the hospital undergoing therapy for short-term memory loss and cardiac rehabilitation.

The family is now dealing with the pressure of uninsured medical expenses combined with a lack of income for many months to come as Jim continues his recovery.

The Erickson family has faced hardship in the past when they lost most of their family possessions in the Rooster Rock Fire in 2010. Just as the Sisters community rallied to provide assistance to the Ericksons then, friends have established the GiveForward.com fund to give them the support they need now.

Jackie is known to many in the community as a long-time Stitchin' Post employee, acclaimed quilter, teacher and caring friend. Jim is employed at Ray's Food Place and works at Habitat for Humanity in Sisters.

"Jackie is the kind of person who is always there supporting everyone else," said Melinda Witt. "Whether it's donating quilts for fundraising auctions including my daughter's Miss Rodeo Oregon fundraising quilt, decorating Ducks and Beaver-themed Christmas trees for Hospice, providing quilts and baskets for the My Own Two Hands art auction, helping to sew graduation quilts ... the list goes on and on. It is so easy to just want to do whatever it takes to give and help her family get through this difficult time."

"Jackie and the Erickson family mean so much to this community," adds Jeri Fouts. "In addition to all she does for Quilt Show, Jackie has been one of the mainstays of Starry Nights, and the Ericksons have all been great volunteers. This is a family that gives selflessly and has been there to help so many people and causes in our town. I know that Sisters will return their kindness by helping them now in this time of need."

Those wishing to help Jackie and her family, may visit https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/yb57/help-jim-amp-jackie-pay-medical-expenses. Fundraising Team Captain and close friend Jeanne Sellgren has set a goal of $25,000 in donations.

Another opportunity to support the family is by purchasing quilt raffle tickets $5 each or $20 for 5 for a red and white quilt sewn by Melinda Witt. The quilt is on display at the Sisters Chamber of Commerce. Drawing to be held on Valentine's Day.