Published: October 12, 2008 12:38 am         

A chance to help

Century 21 employees holding fundraiser for family

Tragedy has no boundaries and can strike at any place and any time without warning. Although a Stillwater family was dealt a double tragedy this summer, they are counting their blessings and consider it a miracle to still have their “wife and mother” to cherish and love everyday.

Richa and Thomas Freshley and their 2-year-old son, Nixon, were enjoying their summertime and anticipating the birth of a new child. Richa was seven months pregnant when she went in for a routine exam and doctors discovered her baby had no heartbeat. On Aug. 28, she was scheduled to deliver her stillborn baby.

The emotional day came and while she was in the process of induced labor, she had what is believed to be an amniotic fluid embolism. The fluid got into her lungs and she went into respiratory failure. She was life-flighted to Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City where she remained in ICU for two weeks on a ventilator and feeding tube.

“By the grace of God, she is home now recovering and rehabilitating,” said Erin Grizzle, one of Richa’s best friends. “The family is now facing extensive medical bills, funeral service expenses and lost wages so we, as a community, need to pull together for this family who have done so much for the city of Stillwater.”

In honor of the Freshley family, a raffle fundraiser has been established by several employees of Century 21 Global Realtors. Many of the prizes to be given away adorn the office of Rosetta Heppel, organizer of this fundraiser, and include a football signed by Oklahoma State University coaches, lunch with Gary England, an Apple iPod, four rounds of golf at Lakeside Golf Course, two pieces of artwork from MK’s Photography and many other items donated from various Stillwater businesses.

Tickets for chances at the prizes being offered are being sold for $1 each and the drawing will be held Oct. 31. Organizers will also have a table set up in front of Century 21 Global Realtors, 131 N. Main, during the OSU Homecoming parade on Saturday for people to sign up and earn a chance at one of the wonderful prizes which have been donated.

“This community has come together and overflowed my office with wonderful prizes in honor of this family,” said Heppel. “When Richa was transported to Oklahoma City, the waiting room was overflowing with 250 to 300 people just from Stillwater who convened on the hospital to hold a prayer ritual. It is our turn now to help take care of this deep-rooted Stillwater family.”

Richa is the daughter of Vicki and Rick Houck and a niece of Kent and Barbara Houck.

Although Richa has made a miraculous recovery, she still faces obstacles. She must go to rehabilitation three times a day to recover the strength needed for her body to keep recovering. She is a hairstylist at Vine Salon and hopes to return there part-time next month to help provide for the family.

For further information on the raffle or to make a contribution, contact Heppel at 880-0869.

     

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