Firm raises funds for transplant

The owner of an Evans car wash is donating half the proceeds from Saturday car washes to an Appling woman raising funds for a kidney transplant.

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Gary Richardson, owner of Sparkle Express at 115 N. Belair Road, said he'll donate half the price of all car washes done this Saturday to Mary Jefferson, an insulin-dependent diabetic who is in dire need of a new kidney.

Jefferson's family has been working to raise the needed $10,000 for Jefferson to be put on the list to receive a donated kidney. The monthly cost of anti-rejection medications that Jefferson will require after the transplant could rise into the thousands of dollars.

Richardson heard about Jefferson's plight through a recent profile of her in The Columbia County News-Times .

"It just touched me that somebody had a need like that and couldn't get on the list until they had the money to get there," Richardson said.

In addition to the Jefferson family's fundraising efforts, First Mount Carmel Baptist Church collected an offering for Jefferson at a recent Thanksgiving service.

"It is going pretty good," Jefferson said of the fundraising. "It is better than it was, but we're not even half there yet. ... I'm hoping it will get better than it is. Anything is better than nothing."

Jefferson suffered a recent setback, an infection that caused doctors to amputate her left foot. But she remains in good spirits and is recovering.

Richardson said the car wash will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, offering car washes for $3.99 to $11.99.

In case of rain, Richardson said the event will be moved to Dec. 15.

"Half of everything that comes in, I'll be happy to donate back," Richardson said. "We want it to be the best it can be for her. That is what we are all about."

Donations also can be made to the Mary Jefferson Kidney Transplant Fund in care of Wachovia Bank, 4363 Washington Road, Evans, GA 30809.