Group raising funds after co-worker’s stroke

Nov. 02--After a co-worker had a stroke earlier this year, employees at Diversified Crop Insurance Services are raising funds to help with bills and other things as an early Christmas of sorts.

The Christmas for Betty effort is raising money for Betty Green, who worked in the company's claims department.

Megan Smith, a Diversified employee and a member of the committee raising the money, said she and her co-workers have known Green for years and wanted to do something for her and her family to help ease the burden of bills.

"She is a wonderful woman, full of life, full of spirit," Smith said. "She and her husband do a lot and she's so well-known."

Green has been recovering since having a stroke in February, but she has not returned to work.

"We really miss her around here," Smith said. "We are lucky that she gets to stop by and see us from time to time."

The Diversified group also has created a Go Fund Me page under A Christmas Gift for Betty.

"We cover the whole U.S. and Betty was in claims, so she worked with adjusters in multiple states," Smith said. "We needed a way for them to support her when they are not in the community."

So far the page has raised more than $2,000 toward its $5,000 goal.

Green said she is thankful to have such wonderful co-workers.

"This isn't about me, it's about the wonderful people I work with," Green said. "You don't find any people better than here."

In addition to the fundraising, co-workers have been making food for Green and her husband several times a week, she said.

"My husband appreciates it," Green said. "Normally, I did all of the cooking and this helps him out. This has always been a good company. They are very generous and backing up their employees. I'm lucky I've been here."

In addition to the Go Fund Me page, Diversified is selling raffle tickets for half of a hog and also is raising fund through other means. Smith said the hog was donated by a local farmer and Jones Meat Locker donated a portion of the processing costs.

Twyford BBQ also donated 10 percent of proceeds from its Thursday lunch sales outside of Diversified to the fund.

Raffle tickets will be on sale at Diversified and at County Market. They are one for $10 or three for $25. Winners will be selected Nov. 16 during Diversified's Thanksgiving potluck.

"We are excited to be able to do this for her," Smith said. "We're thankful the community has been so great."

Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha.

___

(c)2018 the Jacksonville Journal-Courier (Jacksonville, Ill.)

Visit the Jacksonville Journal-Courier (Jacksonville, Ill.) at www.myjournalcourier.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.