News

Community Rallies for N.C. Medic in Serious Farm Accident

Kim Hasty

01/26/2015

Jan. 25--GARLAND -- For months, wife Kristy and Mama Sara have been been reluctant to leave Kyle Cashwell's side. Other family members have been faithful supporters too.

But it turns out that Kyle Cashwell's family is really a whole lot bigger than anyone might have ever imagined.

"Kyle has touched so many people," longtime pal Andy Runion said. "If you ever meet him, he's your friend."

The latest example of the community's overwhelming love and support is an event scheduled for next month. Cooking for Kyle, a barbecue plate fundraiser, is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at Southern Smoke BBQ, at 29 Warren St. in Garland.

Runion, who owns Garland Hardware, is helping to organize the event and to enlist volunteers. He's also in search of more items for a silent auction and raffle, though among the items already donated are two tickets to a NASCAR race.

"Matthew Register of Southern Smoked Barbecue said, 'I'll cook everything if you get the volunteers,' " Runion said.

The plate sale is just the latest in a series of fundraisers for Kyle Cashwell. Everyone, it seems, has pitched in to help.

Word that tragedy had struck spread quickly last October.

Native son Kyle Cashwell, a paramedic with Sampson County EMS and a part-time farmer with three young children, had suffered life-threatening injuries in a horrific farming accident.

He had been in the fields picking corn when his arm and leg became entangled in a piece of farm machinery. He was able to use his cellphone to call 911 and among the first responders were people he had known for much of his life.

"They took off their belts and made a tourniquet for him," Runion said. "When they airlifted him to Duke, the others made a prayer circle as the helicopter lifted off. They say the helicopter got to Duke faster than it ever had."

Doctors were forced to amputate Cashwell's right arm and leg. While Cashwell battled for his life, Runion and other friends got to work. They organized turkey shoots on Friday and Saturday evenings from November into December, raising more than $7,000 for the family. Others ordered rubber bracelets, T-shirts and yard signs that proclaimed "Team Kyle Praying Hard!" There were tractor pulls, dances and corn hole tournaments.

Kristy Cashwell posted updates and thank-you messages on the Praying for Kyle Facebook page and responses poured in.

"I never realized how one person can affect so many," one friend noted.

After having spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in the hospital and undergoing a stint in rehab, Kyle Cashwell recently was able to return home. He even stopped by to see his friends at Garland Hardware on Jan. 12.

"It made my day," Runion said. "He was grinning from ear to ear."

Cashwell still faces a long road to recovery.

But it's clear he won't face that road alone.

"Cooking for Kyle" tickets, which include barbecue, new potatoes, coleslaw, roll and homemade dessert ,are available for $8 at Garland Hardware or at Southern Smoke BBQ, or by calling 910-529-1261 or 910-549-7484. Donations and volunteers are welcome.

Community news editor Kim Hasty can be reached at hastyk@fayobserver.com or 486-3591.