Columbus – Hope Weekend

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  • barbtastic

    http://www.haikuhelp.com/

    This weekend's gallery hop will be dedicated to Rachel Widomski's Medical Care Trust.

    Check out the link above to see how you can support Rachel while you're out this weekend!

  • rka0

    what a great idea...and what an awful thing to have happened. hadn't heard anything about this--used to go there all the time.

    • yeah, pretty tragic... Hubbard and High has been a bad spot for 2008barbtastic
  • barbtastic0

    Community Rallies to Aid Hit-and-Run Victims
    Plans benefit weekend

    Columbus, OH—Short North businesses, restaurants, and friends have demonstrated a tremendous outpouring of support in the week following the tragic events outside Haiku restaurant. Now, family and friends of the victims are teaming up with Short North retailers to plan a collaborative fundraising effort to help support the victims and their families during this difficult time.

    Update on the condition of the victims
    Julie Liu, co-owner of Haiku, suffered fractures to her sternum, multiple fractures to her ribs, a broken collarbone, and a dislocated wrist. She is also suffering from a serious concussion and a bruised brain. Doctors at The Ohio State University Medical Center are keeping Julie at the hospital to monitor her brain condition and her rehabilitation.

    Bartender, artist, and OSU student Rachel Widomski has suffered severe spinal cord injuries. While she has displayed remarkable strength throughout the ordeal, Rachel will be permanently paralyzed as a result of her injuries. Her rehabilitation will be extensive due to the severity of the spinal cord injuries.

    The Rachel Widomski Medical Care Trust has been set up at Huntington Bank. Anyone may make donations in person or mail checks to any Huntington Bank branch. Online donations are being accepted at www.haikuhelp.com. Paul Liu, co-owner of Haiku and husband of Julie Liu, states that "even though Julie's condition is not certain at this time, I would like to place our focus on Rachel" in reference to fundraising and benefit efforts.

    Statement from Paul Liu, co-owner of Haiku and husband of Julie Liu
    Thank you to Mr. Todd Sandler for your heroic act of putting yourself in harm's way and also thank you for assisting the police in facilitating the apprehension of the perpetrator. My deepest gratitude goes to the support and help of Mayor Coleman's office, the City of Columbus, the Columbus police department, paramedics, and the armies of nurses and doctors at The Ohio State University Medical Center for your caring and dedication to the excellence of your profession.

    Right now, I am overwhelmed by the people of Columbus with all the love, well wishes, prayers, and generosity that have been expressed to me, my family, and my extended family here at Haiku. I sincerely thank you. I would also like to thank the media for their sensitivity to my and Rachel's family and the delicate nature in which you have reported on this inconceivable incident. Thank you for embracing us at a time of need and showing how much love is in this city.

  • barbtastic0

    I live across the street from where this happened... I was unlucky enough to exit my building seconds after the guy backed over the two women and fled. I will never forget what I saw and heard. Their lives are changed forever all so this guy could bail on a $100 tab.

    • god...can't even imagine what that was like. nor do i want to really. a hundred dollars. fuck.
      rka
  • MLP0

    this was fucked up.

  • barbtastic0

    yeah... you coming back to c-bus anytime soon?

  • rka0

    i'm going to take a stab and ask---are you tall and used to work in pharma?

  • grymes0

    God damnit. Horrible news, and it hits so close to home. I used to live on the corner of Buttles and High not so long ago. If I still lived in the city I would definitely go out and show my support. Hopefully it will be a huge success.