Eat some chili, help a family

The family of a Coeur d'Alene woman who was severely injured in a Dec. 27 car wreck is hosting a chili feed fundraiser March 28 to offset living costs while she recovers.

Dawn Connerley, 44, was driving home from Moscow when her car rolled and ejected her from the vehicle, even though she was wearing a seatbelt. Her daughter was in the vehicle in front of her and called 911.

Connerley sustained a fractured skull, a broken arm requiring plates for healing, a severely dislocated hip, damage to her right eye and multiple bruises, aches and pains.

"She is home recuperating, she's not up and about yet," said Connerley's future mother-in-law, Patty Nutting of Coeur d'Alene. "She can't work; there is no way she can work."

Connerley has been a pet groomer in the area for 10 years and currently worked at Northwest Resort Grooming, "so you may know her because she does a wonderful job on your animals, not to mention loving them as well," Nutting said.

The family is hoping to collect donations during a chili cookoff and feed from 5-7:30 p.m., March 28, at the Lake City Center in Coeur d'Alene. Connerley's future sister-in-law will also be hosting a charity poker event. A donation account has been created at the Ironwood Wells Fargo in Connerley's name.

Info: 625-1490.