Whether or not he realized it, Bill Kobe made a impact on the people around him. They consider him a good friend, fun person to be around and great father.
‘He’s definitely the person who would go out of his way to help anyone,? said Katie Townsend, who worked alongside Kobe at Ruby Tuesdays on Sashabaw Rd.
But a tragic turn of events made Kobe and his family, who currently reside in Clarkston, the ones in need, and his friends and co-workers are banding together to help. Together on June 12 they are hosting a benefit dinner in honor of their friend as he recovers.
On his way home from work the evening of April 8, Kobe’s car flipped near the corner of Maybee and Sashabaw Roads. Kobe cannot remember exactly what happened to cause the accident, but his car was the only one involved.
‘I’ve never had anything like this happen in my life,? said Kelly, Kobe’s wife, as she recalled the terrifying night when police arrived at her home to tell her about the accident. ‘My four-year-old started shaking and screaming.?
Kobe’s physical injuries include nine fractured ribs, sever lacerations on his left leg and a closed-head injury. Kelly said he suffered injury to the frontal left lobe of his brain, which affected his memory, communication and ability to concentrate.
‘He can think of a banana and know what it is, but not find the word,? Kelly said.
Kobe now spends his days at a rehabilitation center working to retrain his mind daily. He is only able to leave the center for short amounts of time to visit friends or his family.
Since the accident, Kobe is unable to work. Kelly continues to work to support the couple’s three children ? Jacob, 4, Olivia, 2 and Lukas, seven-months-old ? but the bills are piling up.
Townsend said she came up with the idea to hold a fund-raiser to help ease the burden on the Kobe family because Kobe was the type of person to help others.
‘That’s why we’re doing this. If something like this happened to us, he would definitely be the person to reach out and help us.?
Toby McGowen, another co-worker and friend of Kobe’s said visiting his friend is difficult.
‘You could tell he was forgetting who I was,? said McGowen. ‘He was really upset when he couldn’t remember things… It’s not his fault, but he feels it is.?
McGowen recalled what his friend was like before the accident and hopes he will one day be himself again.
‘He’s a really funny guy,? said McGowen. ‘He’s very upbeat, very down-to-earth. He likes to have fun. He likes to do his job. He’s great with his kids.?
For the last month, friends of Kobe have gone around town gathering donations for the benefit and were surprised by the outpouring of support.
Ruby Tuesdays donated the food for a spaghetti dinner, and other local businesses and restaurants have donated items for auction or gift certificates. The benefit will also feature live music, a cash bar, raffles and a ‘human auction? which Townsend said will be like bidding for a date with volunteers. Townsend said they have set a goal of $20,000 for the event.
After hearing about all the work Kobe’s friends have put together, Kelly said she was thankful and surprised.
‘I can’t even express it. I started crying. I just can’t believe that there are so many people who care. I appreciate it so much,? she said.
The benefit runs from 4?10 p.m. at the Clarkston Eagles, located at 5640 Maybee Rd. Admission is $10. If you cannot attend but would like to support the Kobe family, please send any donations to 8600 Pine Knob Rd, Clarkston, MI 48348, Attn: William Kobe Benefit. Make any checks payable to the William Kobe Benefit. Tax ID number 02-0776715.