NEWPORT — The founder of the popular Nye Beach Banner Project was air-lifted to a Corvallis hospital Oct. 21 after falling while taking down the banners in preparation for the annual project’s fundraising auction.
Veronica Lundell, a Nye Beach business owner, artist, and community advocate, was about 15 feet off the ground when the ladder collapsed beneath her, sending her to the pavement below. A neighbor who was with her summoned help, and Lundell was flown to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center with a severe concussion and minor skull fractures.
Friends have established a GoFundMe page to help raise money to cover the costs anticipated during her recovery and rehabilitation.
“She landed on the side of her head,” said Erin Tormey, Lundell’s neighbor and longtime friend. “Where she landed, there are number of hairline fractures in her skull near her ear. She is improving a lot, but her vision is blurry, and her hearing is impacted. Her body seems to be basically fine, although she is incredibly sore. It’s going to be a while. She needs a lot of rest.”
While Lundell has insurance, as a small business owner, her options for coverage are limited, Tormey said.
It was in 2009 that Lundell, owner of the Jovi boutique in Newport’s Nye Beach neighborhood, sought to address the area’s identity problem. Someone suggested hanging ready-made banners, but Lundell wanted no part of mass-produced banners. Instead, she decided to tap into the talent in her own neighborhood.
The Nye Beach Banner Project Auction is set to open with a kickoff party Saturday. Bidding begins at 1 p.m. Saturday and closes at 4 p.m. Nov. 11. Auction proceeds benefit youth arts education and public art through the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.
— by Oregon ArtsWatch
Hope she recovers fully.