Ever since longtime resident Jim Hermann suffered a fractured neck and spine in a dirt bike accident on Aug. 28, friends and neighbors have been rallying.
Temecula resident Jim Hermann suffered traumatic injuries to his neck and spine in a dirt bike accident Aug. 28. (Photo courtesy of Julia Hermann)
“Fortunately it is not a complete spinal cord injury, so we are hoping that he will regain his ability to walk,” said Jim’s wife Julia Hermann.
Despite the aid from friends who have donated their time and money to build a ramp at the Hermann home for easier access during Jim’s rehabilitation, bills are quickly adding up as Jim learns to walk again.
Enter Wilson Creek Winery.
The popular Temecula Wine Country destination will host a fundraising event from 7 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 30 at Wilson Creek Winery, located at 35960 Rancho California Road in Temecula.
“Even standing alone without the fundraiser, this is going to be an incredible night of entertainment,” said friend and event organizer Craig Johns.
According to Johns, the night will include magic acts performed by headliners from Hollywood’s Magic Castle and a performance by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno comedian Willie Barcena.
“This is a Temecula family in need, so we just wanted to find a way to help…support them,” said Johns.
Johns said the local charitable organization Charity for Charity has joined the effort, matching funds to help get the ball rolling.
“From the way our friends have pitched in to help us out, it just confirms that we came here (to Temecula) for all the right reasons,” Julia said, noting that the family was lured to the area in 1995 for its friendly, small town appeal.
Julia Hermann, who has taken a leave of absence from her job as an instructional aide to care for her husband said the accident and the resulting physical challenges have been tough on the once-active father of two.
“He is such an active guy. (Not being able to walk) is killing him. He has a long road ahead of him and a lot of hard work,” Julia said.
Johns said that raffle items, sponsors and donations are all welcome.
To learn more about the fundraiser or to purchase tickets, call or text to 951-640-1441 or email Libby@wilsoncreekwinery.com.
Or to register online, visit kitchenfantasy.com.
Kerri S. Mabee can be reached at kerri.mabee@swrnn.com. Follow me on Twitter @kerrimabee.
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Thank you Kerri for such a lovely article about Jim, I hope this will really help bring out as many people as possible to the fundraiser. Jim and I appreciate you taking the time to get this out there for everyone to read about!
Thanks so much, Julia! I hope your family feels the love right now. Best wishes.
Good luck to the Hermann family. Kudos to Wilson Creek winery for stepping up and helping a local family! Jim good luck in your recovery efforts, you sound like a strong determined man and I know you will walk again soon!
Thanks for sharing the story. Not sure if you remember me but I am Randy Poladians wife. You did a story about us as well and helped with a fund raiser at Wilson Creek as well for us. The support of friends, family, and the community was truely overwhelming. My heart breaks knowing all the trials they are faced with. Speaking from experience the support is priceless. It sounds like Jim and his family are much like us in that we are fighters and have a great outlook for an outcome that is amazing and well worth the fight. If I can be of any assistance in this please let me know. Thank you has never been enough to show our appreciation but if I can do something for another family I would love to do it!!!! Good Luck to the Family!
Hi Amy, I definitely remember you and Randy and hope that you and your family are well. Thanks so much for your note.
Kerri S. Mabee