Help Ben Recover and Move Back Home

Hi my name is Jeff Chace and I am fundraising for Ben Kasowski . Ben has been a dedicated food service director at Toyon Bay for close to twenty years. He has worked tirelessly to provide an amazing dining experience to thousands and thousands of students and nourished hundreds of staff. He worked day in and day out with passion, enthusiasm, empathy while always put others first. It is now our time to feed Ben. During Covid, Ben went to the hospital with back pain. Over the course of his stay at the hospital his symptoms increased. Doctors had a hard time nailing down a diagnosis and creating a treatment plan. After a month it was determined that Ben had an autoimmune disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare, autoimmune disorder in which a person's own immune system damages the nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. GBS can cause symptoms that last for a few weeks to several years. Most people recover fully, but some have permanent nerve damage.

Ben's health challenges have been further compounded by a lack of money . Early on in the pandemic Ben was furloughed due to camp being closed. Ben applied for unemployment like the rest of the country. Unfortunately, he has been stuck in a bureaucratic loop and has not received a dime from unemployment or disability. He spends hours of his day trying to navigate the government websites, speak with people on the phone, and attempt to get the funds he deserves.

Ben is now in a convalescent home in Inglewood and attempting to recover. He is broke. His family is a 1000 miles away. His level of health care is not adequate. He is essentially in purgatory. He is looking for hope. We can be that life line. Any money raised would help to pay for his bills and move towards his ultimate goal of being moved to a facility with a higher level of care that is closer to his family in Washington.

So if you have ever enjoyed a Toyon Bay cookie, powered down Mexi-night, or eaten Ben's jambalaya, please consider giving a donation to help pull our friend out of this desperate situation.

Ben is incapacitated and unable to navigate the challenging realm of healthcare.  Ben's sister, Becca Wertz, has stepped up and has taken over the planning for Ben's recovery.  Your funds will be sent directly to Ben's sister.  Becca has the daunting task of organizing a medical flight to Seattle and working to locate the best possible facility to help Ben recover in Seattle.  All of the funds will go to cover the expensive and necessary flight and cover the first few months of medical care until Ben qualifies for state coverage.  All of your donations are a blessing and the entire Kasowski and Wertz family are eternally grateful.