Town, Family Thank Public for Helping Child

10/24/08 — Town of Hillsborough employees and the family of a 6-year-old girl who was paralyzed in a car accident in April would like to thank the public for their generosity.

Six-year-old Khari Clark-Hester, the granddaughter of a town employee, was injured in an accident on N.C. 86 North on April 10.

“We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to those who donated materials and labor for Khari’s wheelchair ramp and to those who contributed to and participated in fundraisers for Khari’s medical needs and supplies,” the family said. “Your gifts of books, stuffed animals, Hannah Montana toys and other items have brought Khari many smiles. We are grateful for the overwhelming support, generosity and acts of kindness you provided us in our time of need. Please continue to keep Khari in your prayers. God bless each of you.”

Khari is the granddaughter of Malcolm Hester, Water Plant Operator 3 for the Town of Hillsborough, and Sucovis Hester, data manager for Grady Brown Elementary School in Hillsborough. She now is living with her grandparents on weekdays and nights.

Her mother, Heather Clark, and her 2-year-old sister, Zoi, also were in the accident but were not seriously injured.

Khari’s car was turning into the family’s driveway when a pickup truck hit the car on the passenger side where Khari was sitting. She suffered damage to her brain and spine and is paralyzed from the chest down.

Seventeen teams of four participated in a golf tournament organized by Town of Hillsborough employees, with a team sponsored by Walker Funeral Home winning the tournament.

“We really appreciate everything, and saying ‘thanks’ is just a small thing for what everybody has done,” Malcolm Hester said.

He noted that Khari is happy and has returned to Central Elementary School as a first-grader.

In addition to the many individual and anonymous donors, the family would like to give special thanks to:

The Home Depot

Chandler Concrete

Dual Supply

Warren-Hay Mechanical Contractors

Orange High School FFA

Cedar Grove Golf Course

Pinehurst Golf Resort

Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department

Chapel Hill Fire Department

The News and Observer

The Daily Tar Heel

The Chapel Hill News

Town of Hillsborough Employees

Grady Brown Elementary School Staff

Central Elementary School Staff and Students

Mount Zion AME Church

Lattisville Grove Baptist Church

Torain Family Reunion

Occoneechi Steakhouse

Bass Club

Carolina Game & Fish

Creekside Turf

Terry, Dana and Shelby Ward

Folks Inc.

The family apologizes in advance for any omission of businesses or organizations that assisted them.