Hunt for a Bargain in Arcata While Helping a Family Make One Last Reunion
Shoppers browsing today’s Humboldt Flea Market in Arcata can do more than search for hidden treasures—they can help a family facing a difficult journey.
A special “Mom’s Last Trip” fundraising table has been set up inside the Arcata Community Center, offering a wide assortment of donated items for sale, with proceeds going toward helping a mother with advanced cancer fulfill her final wish: spending time with all of her children and grandchildren together.
The fundraiser supports a family whose world changed after doctors informed them that one of the primary treatments fighting the cancer could no longer continue because of the damage it was causing her body. While other treatments remain, they are expected only to slow the disease’s progression.
Now facing a prognosis of six months to a year, the mother’s greatest wish is to reunite with her family while she still can.
Because flying has serious medical risks, they have to make the trip by car and that will result in significant travel expenses for gas, motels, and other necessities.
Visitors to today’s Humboldt Flea Market can support that effort by stopping at the fundraising table and purchasing from a variety of donated items ranging from toys and games to household goods, collectibles, décor, and other flea-market finds.
The Humboldt Flea Market takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Arcata Community Center, 321 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. The monthly event features vendors offering antiques, collectibles, vintage items, handmade goods, clothing, art, furniture, records, jewelry, and more.
Organizers say every purchase helps bring the family closer to making one final reunion possible.
Those unable to attend can also support the effort through the family’s GoFundMe campaign.
*Please note that Brandi is publisher Kym Kemp’s niece.
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As I read this story, I was deeply moved to tears. I am so very sorry that this woman has such as short time left on this earth. Her family is faced with hardships because she has to travel by car for her last family reunion which will cost a great deal of money. I hope that many people that were at the Arcata Community Center purchased most if not all the donated items to help them reach their goal of $5,000 dollars so the trip will become a reality. Please donate any amount that you can, I did. It will warm your heart and hopefully make her smile. May Jesus bless them and hold her in his arms as they take the last journey home.
Kym, I was very sorry to read that Brandi is your niece. The story about what her family is going through just broke my heart. I can’t imagine being in their shoes with Brandi having cancer and not too long to live. It is unfortunate that Brandi cannot fly because of medical reasons. The car trip to California will probably take a toll on their funds, as you know, nothing is cheap anymore. I donated what I could to help them a little bit for the trip. With the nice things that were donated for sale I was hoping they had reached their goal, but sadly when I opened the story a little while ago it had only reached $3,558.00 dollars. I prayed for Brandi in hopes of making her time left on this earth peaceful and pain free with a little fun thrown in. Kym, you have a beautiful niece that will leave you with many fond memories, which a just priceless. Again, I am so very sorry. May Jesus bless her and hold her tight in his arms.
Kym, I am really surprised that you did not respond to my last comment about Brandi. I don’t know why, but on the other hand I realize it is none of my business being a family matter. I am still sorry that you are going to lose her.
To the person that gave me 3 red thumbs down on all 3 of my comments, you are a braindead a**hole. How about treating this family with some love and respect, if you have any.