Local Folk DJ Kathy Kelly Needs Your Help!
Donation protected
Another member of our Chicago Folk & Music Scene needs our help!
Kathy Kelly (aka Spoons!) has been part of the Chicago Folk music scene since 1978-79 when she worked at both Somebody Else’s Troubles music club and at the Old Town School of Folk Music as part of the front desk staff. Through the 1980s she worked at Holstein’s, Orphans, and the Earl of Old Town clubs while studying at Columbia College. Since that time she’s been hosting The Folk Show at WNUR—from 1992 to the present—inviting hundreds of local and national performers to the show, and supporting their careers and gigs in local venues through her interview segments on Sunday mornings.
The past 2 and ½ years, however, have been really tough on our old pal, Kathy Spoons Kelly—both health-wise and money-wise. A workplace injury in December, 2016, two surgeries in 2017–one to repair the shoulder injury, the 2nd, another lithotripsy procedure for chronic kidney stones. Over these last six months, she’s had two more hospitalizations: one for pneumonia, in November, and then one due to more kidney problems just this past month. There’s also a bunch of other health issues that still need to be addressed: an enlarged heart, COPD from working in smoke-filled music clubs, back & neck issues, and diabetes. The girl can’t get a break, and she hasn’t been able to work full-time since December of 2016. She’s been limping along with part-time jobs since then, and even driving for Lyft when it’s been possible. She’s attempting to get on disability, but that takes time. That’s why she needs our help.
She’s way behind on her utilities, which of course, can be shut off quite unceremoniously on April 1st. She’s trying to keep the basic bills at least partially paid: insurance, cell phone, heat, lights, & water, and ok, yes—some Irish Soda bread on the kitchen table! When everybody chips in a little, it can add up to a complete godsend of help & support! She’s thankful she’s been approved for Medicaid & food stamps, and she’s thankful to her roommates for paying their part of the housing costs through the month of March. A little support to keep her going and help her recover would go a long way toward surviving this crazy time she’s recently had and getting back on her feet.
Thank you so much for any help you can offer!
Kathy Kelly (aka Spoons!) has been part of the Chicago Folk music scene since 1978-79 when she worked at both Somebody Else’s Troubles music club and at the Old Town School of Folk Music as part of the front desk staff. Through the 1980s she worked at Holstein’s, Orphans, and the Earl of Old Town clubs while studying at Columbia College. Since that time she’s been hosting The Folk Show at WNUR—from 1992 to the present—inviting hundreds of local and national performers to the show, and supporting their careers and gigs in local venues through her interview segments on Sunday mornings.
The past 2 and ½ years, however, have been really tough on our old pal, Kathy Spoons Kelly—both health-wise and money-wise. A workplace injury in December, 2016, two surgeries in 2017–one to repair the shoulder injury, the 2nd, another lithotripsy procedure for chronic kidney stones. Over these last six months, she’s had two more hospitalizations: one for pneumonia, in November, and then one due to more kidney problems just this past month. There’s also a bunch of other health issues that still need to be addressed: an enlarged heart, COPD from working in smoke-filled music clubs, back & neck issues, and diabetes. The girl can’t get a break, and she hasn’t been able to work full-time since December of 2016. She’s been limping along with part-time jobs since then, and even driving for Lyft when it’s been possible. She’s attempting to get on disability, but that takes time. That’s why she needs our help.
She’s way behind on her utilities, which of course, can be shut off quite unceremoniously on April 1st. She’s trying to keep the basic bills at least partially paid: insurance, cell phone, heat, lights, & water, and ok, yes—some Irish Soda bread on the kitchen table! When everybody chips in a little, it can add up to a complete godsend of help & support! She’s thankful she’s been approved for Medicaid & food stamps, and she’s thankful to her roommates for paying their part of the housing costs through the month of March. A little support to keep her going and help her recover would go a long way toward surviving this crazy time she’s recently had and getting back on her feet.
Thank you so much for any help you can offer!
Organizer and beneficiary
Rich Krueger
Organizer
Evergreen Park, IL
Kathleen Kelly
Beneficiary