Community supports the Pinkerton family
BONNERS FERRY — On April 28 community members came together in front of Columbia Bank for a rummage sale in which the proceeds went to support the medical costs for Emmaline Pinkerton.
In October 2017, she was diagnosed with gastroparesis, which is a condition where the stomach muscles don’t work properly and have a hard time emptying food.
“At first it wasn’t too bad because it was occasional vomiting and I felt sick,” Emmaline said. “Then it gradually got worse. I was in and out of doctors all the time, still am, and I could not participate in volleyball or basketball this season. Now I am participating in track.”
Because it was hot outside during the last track meet, she got dehydrated and had to go to Kootenai Medical Center to get an IV to rehydrate her. With her stomach not being able to process food and drink very well, she couldn’t just drink a bottle of water.
“Even though I can’t reach my full potential as from when I wasn’t sick, it’s good for me to still be able to participate in sports,” Emmaline said. “Mentally for me, though, it has been easier. I have had a lot of support from my teammates and coaches and they understand and try to work around me and I try to do as much as I can. It feels good to be a part of the team still.”
The CEO of Columbia Bank, Melanie J. Dressel, who suddenly passed away last year, was very community minded, so all of the branches of the bank are encouraged to do a yearly fundraiser, and for the Bonners Ferry branch, they chose to help the Pinkerton family.
All of the donations and proceeds go into an account for the medical costs for the Pinkertons’ daughter at Columbia Bank.
“I went and it’s like there are people that I don’t even know are just doing their best to help me out and it really moves me,” Emmaline said.
“Living in a small town, especially with the older residents that want to contribute, the technological components of online donations can be intimidating,” said Emmaline’s mother, Alyssa Pinkerton. Instead of another form of charity group such as online pages, which turn a profit on the donations, the account at Columbia Bank gives 100 percent of the proceeds to the Pinkerton family.
Emmaline still eats, but it is very difficult for her to hold down food, so the doctors put her on a feeding tube that runs through her nose and bypasses her stomach so that she can get the nutrients she needs to survive. However, the formula is costly, and even with insurance, the bills continue to pile up.
An outpouring of community support has touched the family during this hard transition.
“It’s overwhelming, the support and response that we have had from the community, from people wanting to check on her and make sure that the family doesn’t need anything,” said Alyssa Pinkerton. “Chronic illness is a challenge, and we didn’t know gastroparesis was a thing before.”
“I have a lot of support,” said Emmaline Pinkerton. ”I get cards all the time and donations from the community.”
There will be a banquet fundraiser at the Bonners Ferry Eagles AERIE #3522 on May 19, and further donations can be given to them at Columbia Bank.