ASHLAND —
Small Business Saturday could turn into a way to help a 6-year-old Ashland boy in his recovering from a complicated surgery.
Gibbs Hardware stores owners C.C. and Julie Gibbs will be donating 10 percent of Saturday’s sales at both of their locations — 942 13th Street in Ashland and 670 South Highway 7 in Grayson — to Cai’s Journey.
Cai Helms has experienced long-lasting complications and been through several surgeries since his battle with meningitis as an infant. When doctors told his mother, Shanna Helms, his legs might need to be amputated, she would not accept that outcome for her son. After much research, she found a doctor in Florida who said he could help the boy maintain use of his legs.
Shanna has had several devastating setbacks on the journey, including losing their van after it unexpectedly caught fire.
“We want to help Cai, that’s the main thing in a nutshell,” C.C. Gibbs said. “After I saw her last post (on Facebook), the turmoil they had on the way down, I was moved to help.”
Small Business Saturday takes place the day after Black Friday. It’s a movement that was started last year by American Express. Anyone who has an American Express card can register it for a $25 credit on items bought that day.
“You can spend $25, get a $25 credit and we’re going to throw 10 percent on top of it to Cai,” Gibbs said.
Shanna Helms is Gibbs’ cousin. Her father was Jim Gibbs, who sold C.C. and Julie the hardware store in 2003. They have since built another store in Grayson.
Gibbs also said if anyone wants to donate anything by check to Cai’s Journey and drop it off at either storie, they will match 15 percent of what they donate to the cause.
“I want to push people to help that cause,” he said.
Gibbs also encourages area shoppers to support the local stores on Small Business Saturday. He estimated 80 percent of the businesses are local.
Cai Helms continues his journey despite the many setbacks. The family was $5,000 shy going into the last trip before losing the van.
To follow to progress of Helms and her son, visit the Cai’s Journey Facebook page.
Donations can be made to 4200 Shannon Drive, Ashland, KY 41102 or the Cai’s Journey account at Peoples Bank in Ashland.
MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.
Local News
Small Business Saturday event to benefit Cai’s Journey
- Local News
-
- Secretary of Education coming to Louisville
-
New laws go into effect next week
New laws approved during the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2013 regular session go into effect on Tuesday.
-
Local in brief: 6/19/13
Southland Bible Institute’s training for high school students continues through Friday at the school at 238 W. Southland Drive.
-
Saturday's Flatwoods Music Festival will include tributes to Mike Murphy
The songs of Mike Murphy and Zachariah will be remembered and performed Saturday amid an afternoon and evening of free music at the annual Flatwoods Music Festival.
-
Local WinShape camp gaining steam
The WinShape Camps for Communities at Bridges Christian Church the first week of July are starting to draw considerable buzz.
-
Camp Invention full of science-based discovery
The formula for inventing a new machine, according to 9-year-old Hayden Wheeler, goes something like this: “First, I run it through my mind and plan it out, and then I make adjustments in my mind, and then I try it out.”
-
Boyd staying with same health plan
Boyd County officials heard pitches Tuesday for two new health care plans — one for employees, the other for inmates. Both claimed they could save taxpayers thousands of dollars in medical expenses over the coming year.
-
Sentencing in Carter drug trafficking case
Five people were sentenced to prison terms last week in a federal drug-trafficking case that involved selling cocaine and pills in Carter County, according to court documents.
-
19-year-old launching one-man food drive, ‘Cans for a Cause’
Never accuse Aaron Hannah of not being ambitious and failing to set high goals for himself.
Later this month, Hannah, a 19-year-old 2012 graduate of Raceland-Worthington High School, will launch what is essentially a one-man food drive. His goal: to collect at least 10,000 pounds of canned food for River Cities Harvest to distribute to local nonprofits and churches that help feed the hungry.
Hannah, who just completed his freshman year as a Bonner Scholar at Berea College, said scholars are encouraged, but not required, to do community projects designed to help the needy. -
Westwood man charged with attempted murder
A Westwood man was arrested on attempted murder charges following an incident Sunday night, according to the Ashland Police Department.
Michael L. Thompson, 38, was charged following an investigation. - More Local News Headlines
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
