Helping a friend in need

<p>Isn’t it nice to know what Petalumans are capable of when they come upon someone in need?</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Krista Gawronski and 65 of her Fabulous Women friends showed just what they could do for those in need when they raised over $6,000 for Eddie Martinez and his family. </p><p>Martinez works for Gawronski and her husband, Paul, at their Petaluma sandwich shop, Mr. Pickle’s, as well as a shift at United Parcel Service. He disclosed to the Gawronskis about nine months after they hired him that he was having seizures, caused by a brain tumor that needed exploratory surgery. Times have been a little tough for Martinez and his family lately, with his wife, Sadie, needing dental work, having both of her parents’ illnesses to deal with and four kids to raise. </p><p>When she hired Martinez, Gawronski says, “He was the epitome of the hard-working guy. He usually goes to work at UPS from 3:30 a.m. until 8 a.m., then he comes to Mr. Pickle’s for another six to eight hours. The moment I met Eddie, I felt like we were supposed to help him. I had this weird feeling that he needed us beyond employment. </p><p>“A few weeks ago, he privately told Paul and me that he was having seizures and needed to consult with a doctor,” Gawronski said. “He found that he has a tumor on the part of the brain that enables him to remember and formulate sentences.”</p><p>Martinez will undergo surgery Jan. 5. “He’s very scared about whether he will come out of his surgery functioning normally,” Gawronski said. </p><p>Gawronski swung into action, organizing a holiday-themed party and asking all her Fabulous Women to come. </p><p>“The Fabulous Women are a group I formed about the same time we opened Mr. Pickle’s,” she said. They’re made up of about 20 of Gawronskis’ neighbors and high school buddies who organize social get-togethers with the added fun of raising funds for worthy causes. The hostess at each event gets to select the cause. </p><p>Gawronski asked everyone to bring a friend and something to eat, “wear something red and to do what they could to help out the Martinez family.” She included all four Martinez children’s clothing sizes and got one of their kids’ teachers, Kim Bauman at Grant Elementary, involved, which galvanized the Grant Elementary community into action. More and more people became involved in raising donations for the family, with a presentation even being made on their behalf before the Petaluma City Council.</p><p>Finally, the night of the party arrived and Eddie and Sadie Martinez were invited to attend. Knowing nothing of what was to transpire, Sadie begged off, the pain from her impacted wisdom tooth making her just want to sleep. </p><p>Since Eddie couldn’t drive now because of the seizures, Gawronski went to his house and picked him up, insisting that he come, despite the Martinezes’ protestations. They sat Eddie down in a chair, gave him a glass of wine, introduced the Fabulous Women and their mission, and then it was time to hand out the gifts. Included with the family photography session and the pirate party for his kids was a brand new wallet, stuffed full of cash, checks, grocery store food cards and other gift cards. </p><p>Then Gawronski escorted Martinez down her hallway, which was filled with presents for him, Sadie and their kids. It was a teary, cheery moment for all as Martinez grabbed Gawronski and sobbed. More than $6,000 in donations and gifts were raised for the Martinez family, and the very next day, Dr. Robert Allen’s oral surgery office, who had already contributed to the family’s cause, donated its services for Sadie’s wisdom tooth extraction. </p><p>Eddie Martinez’s brain tumor surgery is slated for Jan. 5 and he and his wife, Sadie, are overwhelmed by the all-out effort of Krista Gawronski and the Fabulous Women. ”This is the most amazing situation,” said Sadie Martinez. “You deal with it. They (Eddie’s doctors) want to stop the tumor before it causes any more seizures. We’re a little nervous, but we know we’re not alone in dealing with it.” </p><p>“I can’t thank the Mr. Pickle’s family and the Fabulous Women and the people of Petaluma enough for helping my family,” Martinez added. “Imagine his (Eddie’s) surprise — a roomful of women, handing him gifts. It’s still unreal. He came home from the party and woke me up and started drizzling gifts on me.”</p><p>Sadie Martinez avers, “It’s the most comforting feeling to know that my kids go to school with such wonderful people. Our feelings of gratitude leave me speechless. I hope that more people will get involved with the Fabulous Women and help others in need in our community. If we can help another family as much as they’ve helped us, that’s all I could wish for.”</p><p>(Contact Lynn Schnitzer at argus@arguscourier.com)</p>