A good woman in ‘the storm of her life’

By Joan Hadac

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • [email protected]

If you attended Kennedy High School in the early 1980s (especially if you were class of ’85), you may recall Christina Sarelli as a classmate from the Crusaders volleyball team or from the Drama Club.

Her sister, Angelina (Sarelli) Malone, describes Chis as “one of the most kind, thoughtful, friendly, faithful people you will ever meet…she has spent her life spreading cheer and lending a hand to many. She has put others before herself throughout her life, and she is a simple person, requiring only love from family and friends.”

Well, years later, Chris (Sarelli) Thompson is a mom and even a grandma. She also works as a professional photographer for her sister’s small business, Photography by Angel.

But in recent months, as Angelina wrote, “Chris was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and is currently going through chemotherapy. After chemotherapy she will need to have surgery, radiation and hormonal therapy. She has a great team of doctors, a very faithful, caring husband and a large support group of family and friends who love her very much.

“Unfortunately, all the love in the world will not be able to replace the lost wages that are needed, to not only pay for day to day living expenses, but also help cover all of the medical expenses that insurance simply will not cover.”

But a GoFundMe goal of $10,000 is only a third of the way there.

Chris is going through some agony right now; and trooper that she is, a recent comment from her only hints at that: “I’m in a storm in my life right now; but from every storm comes new growth, and I will be back stronger and better than ever.”

Chris is a good woman from the neighborhood. She needs our help. Will you please join me in making a donation today? Visit https://gofund.me/cc814aa3 and please give generously.

Mark your calendar

• If ever you’ve considered homeschooling your children but want more information, head over to the Garfield Ridge Branch Library, 6348 S. Archer, at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8. The hour-long discussion will include parents already homeschooling their children. Also discussed will be tips on using your local public library to help your homeschool. Refreshments will be provided as well as an activity for kids. For details, call the library at (312) 747-6094. My thanks to Children’s Library Associate Patti Tyznik for sharing this information.
• Bingo players, mark your calendars! A “super bingo” is set for Sunday, Sept. 18 at the St. Rene Goupil campus of Two Holy Martyrs Parish, 6340 S. New England. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., and games start at 1:30. Admission is $20. For more information, call (773) 767-1523. Also, a “super bingo” is set for Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Rhine VFW Post 2729, 5858 S. Archer. Buy-in is $25. Doors open at 11 a.m., and games start at 1 p.m. For details, call the post at (773) 284-9025.
• If you make and sell craft items, the time is now to reserve your space in the 8^th Annual Holiday Extravaganza at Two Holy Martyrs Parish. This is a big, successful craft/vendor fair set for 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 at the Sharp Center, 5940 W. 62^nd St. Booth fees are as low as $40, with extra charges for things like chairs and electricity access. For details, call Taura Basulto at (708) 634-6748 or send an email to [email protected]. My thanks to Lara Hess for alerting me to this event.
  

  Joan Hadac

Finally, I’m looking for a friendly person in Clearing or Garfield Ridge willing to write this column on an occasional basis—maybe once a month or even just every now and then. I think it would be a good thing for other voices to be heard through this column. I know there are moms out there (or other folks) who could do it. Pay is near-zero. This is the type of thing you’d do for the fun of it—just as I do. If you’re interested, contact me via email.

See you next week.