There is a lady I met through work who never ceases to amaze me. Jenny Hoff has Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Jenny can no longer walk, is in a powerchair, and will eventually lose the use of her arms as well. The amazing thing is that she stays connected to her community and even volunteers. She recently took part in a walking audit of Monroe Street with us to tell us how the pedestrian facilities function for people in wheelchairs.
Jenny has a special powerchair accesible van that she 'inherited' when a friend (also with ALS) died. At first she told me it was a Godsend because it let her maintain her independence, but now it is eating her out of house and home for gas. She doesn't drive it very often, mostly she uses the STA paratransit service as it can get her pretty much anywhere she needs to go. She does need the van to get to church on Sundays though and to visit her parents in Airway Heights, and therefore needs money to put gas in it.
She's earning that money through a 'mini-farmer's market' she does in front of her house. She guarantees that her prices are less than anywhere else. Here's what she has right now:
Walla Walla Sweet Onions:
5# bags for $5.00
10# bags for $9.00
25# bags for $18.00
Birdhouses (very cute, made by a friend and painted by Jenny) from $15-$25
Freshly made fruit pies every Friday. They range from $7-$10 depending on their filling, including rhubarb, huckleberry, and Apple.
You can find Jenny at 10010 E. Empire in Millwood or call ahead at 979-1883 to reserve items. Here's a chance to buy local and see your money helping someone out.
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