Benefit to aid fair volunteer

PALMER — A 21-foot fall Aug. 2 at the Alaska State Fairgrounds marked a changing point in Joel Stefanski’s life.

Stefanski, a long-time volunteer at the fair, was replacing wood poles used for the lumberjack show. As he was harnessed to one pole about halfway up, the bottom — which was rotten — suddenly snapped, sending Stefanski plummeting to the ground.

The impact of Stefanski’s fall shattered his hip and caused damage to three critical veins in his pelvis. Two days after the accident, he was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Flash forward nearly two months, and those in the Mat-Su Valley who know Stefanski haven’t forgotten about their fallen friend, who has since been moved from his treatment out of state back to the Mat-Su Valley. A benefit is scheduled for Oct. 4 at the Alaska State Fairgrounds’ Raven Hall.

Billed as an extravaganza, benefit organizers Judy and Dave Snyder of Diversified Tire are anticipating nearly 500 guests. Entertainment for the night will come from Alaska musician Adele Morgan, and a no-host bar, Alaska Grown catered dinner and live fundraising auction will round out the night’s activities.

For Stefanski, the benefit has turned into something of a goal, his wife, Mindy, said. He hopes to be well enough to at least get one day out of the hospital to attend the benefit.

“It’s just absolutely overwhelming,” Mindy Stefanski said of the planned benefit. “We’re both so humbled.”

Mindy Stefanski said Joel is progressing well and has started the physical therapy needed to get back on his feet full-time.

“Yesterday, he had therapy twice and by the second one he was using the walker and went 25 feet,” she said.

The challenge has been getting Joel back on his feet after being horizontal in a hospital bed for so long. That, and the fact that he can’t put pressure on his left leg — because of the damaged hip — are posing the most significant challenges now, Mindy Stefanski said.

But she said her husband is determined.

“He’s very motivated and will do the best that probably anybody could,” she said.

As for the benefit, donations for the silent auction are pouring in.

Dave Snyder, owner of Diversified Tire, said the effort has received items ranging form an Africa safari to Joel’s own 1985 Ford F250, which, Snyder said, is the first-ever truck Joel “bought new.”

“Out of 25 places I visited, 24 said ‘yes’ and only one said ‘no,’” Snyder said about the response to give for the auction.

Tickets for the benefit are also selling fast, Snyder said, but there are more available.

No matter how many people show up Oct. 4, organizers say the benefit will, along with raising money to help with the Stefanskis’ medical bills, recognize a person who more often recognizes others over himself.

“This is the result of all the years that Joel has volunteered and done things for other people and never expected anything,” Mindy Stefanski said.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.