Benefit set to aid Bev Mitton

SANDPOINT — A patch of black ice changed Bev Mitton’s life for the worse in November.

However, local residents have the power to change her life for the better in the space of a single evening. Set for March 10, the Bring Bev Home dinner, auction and raffle will raise the financial and moral support she needs during this difficult period. The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the Bonner County Fairgrounds in the main exhibit building. Tickets cost $10 per person, $15 per couple or $20 per family.

On Nov. 27, shortly after the Panhandle area was hit with a brutal early snowstorm, Mitton was driving south of town when she hit a stretch of black ice and lost control. Her truck slid over a bank and rolled into a tree, dealing her several lacerations, broken bones and a damaged spinal cord.

The injuries left Mitton a functioning quadriplegic. Paralyzed from the upper chest down, she has limited movement in her arms but is unable to move anything below. Since the accident, Mitton has received treatment at Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls medical facilities. Despite the massive changes that have come into her life, brother Steve Allen said she’s approaching the situation with a positive attitude.

“She’s very optimistic and working really hard on her physical therapy,” Allen said. “She’s told us that she’s going to walk again some day.”

Nevertheless, the road toward that goal will not be easy. The key lies at the St. Luke’s Spinal Rehabilitation Hospital in Spokane. To begin her therapy there, she needs to develop a “Go Home” plan. This plan will ensure she has all the necessary elements in place at her Ponderay residence before moving back. That means installing the necessary accessibility equipment that meets ADA standards and having a health care provider present.

Of course, the medical costs and home renovations have raised some serious financial hurdles. To help cover those costs, friends, family and community members began planning the Bring Bev Home benefit. The dinner comes courtesy of Ivano’s, Cathy Oliver and Sand-Ida, complete with evening entertainment by musicians Jesse Bennett and The Collective. Trinity will also provide a bar for the occasion. Parents need not worry about the little ones, either — a kid’s corner will keep them occupied while the adults enjoy themselves.

Residents also have a chance to walk away with some quality raffle or auction items. Although there are plenty of items set to be raffled, the star of the night is a limited edition Burton snowboard with Union bindings. Tickets are available at $5 a pop or $20 for a pack of five.

As for the silent auction, one highly prized item is sure to the be the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Savage 7mm Remmington rifle complete with a Simmons 3-9x40 scope. Other auction attractions include a night at the Davenport or Talus Rock, a truckload of firewood, quilts, pontoon rentals and many other items.

All proceeds will go to help a North Idaho native who has spent her life as a community member. Allen said he’s thankful for area residents who take the time to help out one of their own.

“We couldn’t have done this without the help of a lot of great people,” he said. “We really appreciate what everyone has done.”