Geno Ludwig's Help with Medical Expenses

The local Chewelah community is banding together to help longtime resident Geno Ludwig with ongoing medical bills. After 5 years of issues with a replacement hip, doctors removed the hip entirely to combat the continued infections. This means a lengthy stay in rehab in Colville and Geno’s Medicare benefits have just run out. Continued care runs about $9,000 per month – which is out of pocket for Sharon and Geno. Park Avenue Players and the Center for the Arts have announced that the upcoming production on May 19-21 will be a fundraiser to help them out with expenses. Donations will be accepted during the show -- AND there will be a special Dessert Auction Soiree on June 9th.

Geno and his family have deep ties to the area: his father was born in Chewelah and his mother was from Clayton. Geno attended school in Chewelah and returned after college – embarking on a 48-year career at the middle and high school as a teacher, while also coaching baseball, wrestling and football. In 2009, he was named Coach of the Year for the the District VII Jr High/Middle Schools from the Washington State Football Coaches Association. He was privileged to teach several generations of students during this time, including his own children. In 2019, Sharon and Geno were named Chewelah’s Honored Citizens of the Year. At the event, he asked how many people had taken his classes and over half of the audience raised their hands.

Geno loves Chewelah sports and has been writing articles for The Independent since he was in high school. He continues to write while in the hospital and at rehab, faithfully watching the games on YouTube and submitting his articles. He is also the premiere local historian and vows to finish his novel on the area’s history.

Please help us to assist the Ludwig family during this crisis! Donate via this GoFundMe page, look for the auction items on Facebook, or plan to attend Park Avenue Players production of Love Letters on May 19-21. Or send a check to Geno Ludwig at the Chewelah Center for the Arts, PO Box 1113, Chewelah WA 99109. Thank you!