Pizza Hut sets fundraiser for Binder

Joan Jess Binder came down with colon cancer earlier this year and spent a lot of time undergoing chemotherapy and other treatment.

She got ill from the medications and ended up in the emergency room a few times. Then she came down with pneumonia.

Thanksgiving Day, she had a stroke and was flown to Great Falls for additional treatments.

Now, her friend Heather Ellingson said she fears Binder is lying in a hospital bed worrying about how she is going to pay the bills.

“I wish she wasn’t, but I’m sure she is,” Ellingson said.

She is a very timely person, Ellingson said, adding that Binder will want to take care of her bills, so friends are trying to help her out.

There will be a benefit Thursday at Havre Pizza Hut to raise money to help pay Binder’s expenses.

Twenty percent of the proceeds will be donated to Joan’s benefit. All people have to do is tell the server they stopped by for Joan’s benefit.

The offer is good throughout the day for delivery, pickup or takeout, she said.

Ellingson said Binder is a very independent person and doesn’t want the attention.

“If she knew we were doing this, she’d be mad,” she said.

Ellingson said Binder worked at Zip Trip in Highland Park for many years, and a lot of people remember her for her friendly service. Recently, she’s been working at Stromberg’s Sinclair on Highway 2.

“She is just the most loving, caring person you could find,” Ellingson said of Binder. “She would do anything for anybody.”

People who can’t make Thursday’s benefit can send donations to an account set up for her at Bear Paw Credit Union, 201 2nd St., Havre, MT 59501.