Fundraiser for Kimberly Montoya a success

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Kai Rowe and Ralph Montoya (Kimberly’s dad) at the Oracle Inn fundraiser for Kimberly.
John Hernandez | Miner

Rose Hunter and Maryann Montoya enjoy a moment of levity at the fundraiser held in honor of Maryann’s niece Kimberly. John Hernandez | Miner

San Manuel Miner

On Saturday, Feb. 22, a benefit fundraiser for Kimberly Montoya was held at the Oracle Inn. Over 130 people showed up for the event which raised money to help Kimberly Montoya with extensive medical bills. Kimberly was severely injured in an automobile accident near Salt River Canyon on Christmas Eve when the vehicle she was in plunged down a 1,000 foot cliff. Her boyfriend, Matthew Teschner, was killed in the accident.

Many friends and family attended the benefit. Matthew Teschner’s parents came as did the man the Montoya family call Kimberly’s Angel, Kai Rowe along with his wife Kathy. Kai, from Show Low saw the vehicles headlights going down the cliff. He stopped and climbed down the steep cliff to render aid. He talked with Kimberly to keep her awake and took off his shirt to help keep her warm in temperatures that dropped to 17 degrees. Kai visited her in the hospital. Kathy said it was a miracle that he arrived when he did because once the car was at the bottom of the cliff no one would have been able to see it from the highway.

The barbecue dinner fundraiser included a dinner of BBQ pork, beef brisket, scalloped potatoes, beans, rolls and dessert. The Oracle Inn provided the food at cost and donated a percentage of the evening’s liquor sales. There were numerous raffle prizes donated by local merchants and friends and a silent auction featuring jewelry from Kai and Kathy Rowe’s Cabs and Slabs business. Some of the raffle prizes came all the way from the big island where Kimberly’s aunt, Trish Merschdorf owns the Kona Coffee Café in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Trish donated packages of 100 percent Kona coffee, chocolate covered coffee beans and chocolate covered macadamia nuts for gift baskets. Trish and her family and friends were also having a fundraiser for Kimberly this past Saturday in Hawaii.

Kimberly’s aunt, Maryann Montoya says she would like to thank everyone that attended her niece Kimberly Montoya’s benefit dinner. It was a huge success and there was lots of love and support from our community and the donations were unbelievable! The staff and owners of the Oracle Inn were so wonderful, supportive and so helpful.

A special fund has been set up for Kimberly to help defray her medical costs. Kimberly is out of the hospital but will be having to go through rehabilitation and make more visits to the hospital. A special fund has been set up for her with Wells Fargo Bank. You can visit any branch and tell them you want to donate to the Kimberly Montoya Donation Fund or you can mail donations to:

“Kimberly Montoya Donation Fund”

Wells Fargo

Oro Valley Office

MAC S4302-011

10585 N. Oracle Road

Oro Valley, AZ 85737

John Hernandez (785 Posts)

John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.


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