Angela Brandt
Havre Daily News
abrandt@havredailynews.com
Local groups are banding together to help out a Havre family in need.
Hailey Huestis was born to Dusty and Patti Huestis in January with Apert syndrome, a rare birth defect involving distortions of the head and face and webbing of the hands and feet. Hailey Huestis is in Seattle for a series of surgeries to help open her nasal passages, allowing her to breath better, and separate the bones in her face and head to allow her brain room to grow. She also will have surgeries to separate her fingers and toes.
A benefit dinner and auction sponsored by the Montana Country Poets and Pickers is set for Saturday at the Eagles Club at 6 p.m. The feed will include sloppy joes, cole slaw and potato salad for a fee of $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Items are needed are needed for the auction and donations may be dropped off at Norman's Ranch & Sportswear or brought to the dinner. The money earned will go toward travel and medical expenses.
Family friend Justin Kallenberger said Hailey Huestis might be able to return home for the benefit with an accompanying nurse. She has been in hospitals in both Seattle and Missoula for the last few weeks.
“Basically, the hospital is her home right now,” Kallenberger said.
Chuck Gehringer, who knows Dusty Huestis through the Bullhook Bottoms Black Powder Club, said he wanted to take part in the benefit simply because “she is such a great little rug rat.”
“Bring your families, friends, your dog, your cat or anybody with a wallet,” Gehringer said.
He said the help is a blessing for the Huestis family.
Dusty Huestis is president of both the Montana Country Poets and Pickers and the powder club.
No entertainment schedule has been set for the dinner.
“The Montana Country Poets and Pickers will be doing their thing and I am sure we can get somebody playing some sort of stringed instrument,” Gehringer said.
At the dinner, the winner of a handmade, deluxe picnic table will be named. The table was built by Kallenberger with materials donated by United Building Center.
“Any time you can help out a little one - it's a great thing,” Kallenberger said.
Raffle tickets are available for $5 each or 5 for $20 for the table raffle at United Building Center, NAPA Auto Parts, Pacific Steel and Recycling, Tire-Rama Inc., Havre Tire Factory, Eagles Club, Frontier Lawn and Landscape, Sears, Cavaliers Men's and Boy's Wear, Tilleman Motor Co. and by calling Kallenberger at 945-0325.
For those who cannot attend the dinner, an account for donations has been set up at Independence Bank.
