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Fundraiser organized to help amputee 

ANDRA ATTEBERRY Staff Writer andraa@nwanews.com

Posted on Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Helping out is a tradition for staff at the Metfield Neighbourhood Grill.

They are currently collecting food for the Oasis Food Pantry and the Bella Vista Animal Shelter, and now, they’ve found a new cause.

The restaurant‘s owners and employees are planning a fundraiser for a former cook and her husband, who recently had an arm amputated.

The Metfield Grill will host a benefit for the Bella Vista couple, Pam Woods Thompson and Jimmy Thompson, starting at 10 a.m. Friday, May 15, said Ann Stee, manager and co-owner of the restaurant. The grill will serve hot dogs or chilli dogs, chips and sodas in exchange for a donation to the family.

"We’re here to support the community and what it needs," Stee said.

Woods Thompson, who was a cook at the Metfield Grill for three years, retired about two months ago, Stee said. Before that, she worked for the Property Owners Association for about 20 years as a cook or restaurant manager at the Bella Vista Country Club, the Yacht Club, Metfield and Kingsdale.

On April 24, Jimmy Thompson was changing a conveyer belt on a machine at work when the belt grabbed his shirt sleeve and pulled him into the machine. His injuries resulted in doctors having to remove one of his arms an inch below the elbow, Stee said.

He is at home now, but he needs to heal and have therapy before being fitted with a prosthesis, Stee said.

Thompson’s medical bills are being covered by the company he works for and workers’ compensation, but living expenses, such as house and car payments, are piling up.

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