“Give someone a hug today. It’s what Wendy would do.” These words are on the Facebook page for a fundraiser for someone well known in our community.
On Sunday at Latah County Fairgrounds there will be a fundraiser called “Wendy’s Mugs & Hugs.”
The fundraiser is in support of Wendy Smiley Johnson, the owner of the Moscow Alehouse. She was in a car accident near Troy, Idaho back in December and her medical bills have been expensive. The fundraiser is to help alleviate some of her medical bills.
With multiple injuries, Smiley Johnson’s recovery has been a long process. However, Corina Ritter, one of the fundraiser hosts, said she should recover soon.
“She was in the Intensive Care Unit for weeks. But her doctors were impressed with how hard she fought and have told her with her attitude, drive and hard work, she should make a full recovery,” Ritter said. “She is in the process of having her braces removed and should have full mobility and strength back after months of physical therapy. She is walking, talking, home and ready to start her hugs again.”
Regardless of Smiley Johnson’s quick recovery, medical bills are expensive and people who know her want to help her out.
“Help us ease the burden for Wendy and her husband Rick so they can focus on what is important while she heals,” the fundraiser website said.
Currently, the event page has over a hundred people marked “going” to the fundraiser and over 300 people marked “interested”.
The fundraiser will have a barbeque with beer, live music and a silent auction. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time.
They can be found on the Wendy’s Mugs and Hugs Facebook event page or can be purchased at UMPQUA bank in Moscow or Troy. Tickets for children can only be bought at the door.
More information on the event can be found on their Facebook event page or on the fundraiser website.
There is also a GoFundMe page available for those who want to help and can’t make it to the fundraiser. Currently, the fundraiser has surpassed their goal of $15,000 by over $700. The page has been shared over 1,400 times.
“She’s a very lucky woman and has a lot of good karma built up,” Ritter said. “Things could be so much worse prognosis wise, and she is so thankful for everyone’s support. She is very much used to being the giver, so it has been a transition for her to be on the receiving end of help.”
Paige Fiske can be reached at [email protected].