Fundraisers to support Stretch return the favor

A flurry of fundraisers to support local realtor Jessica Stretch as she deals with surgeries and treatment for breast cancer aim to help her and her family with medical expenses – the efforts represent a form of reciprocation for all that Jessica has done for the community, affection for the kind of person she is, and an illustration of what she means to so many.

A Tecumseh native, Jessica dove into a position as the marketing and events coordinator and farmers market manager at the then-Tecumseh Area Chamber of Commerce in February 2019, building the farmers market at the Market on Evans into a multi-faceted event that filled with vendors, scavenger hunts, classes, live music, food trucks, and more. After three seasons she moved on to pursue her real estate career, but her influence helped make the market the thriving destination it remains.

She created the Top O’ the Mornin’ 5K Fun Run, which takes place this weekend, and the Oktoberfest event in the fall, added a Halloween cross country golf outing, a holiday market in November during the Holiday Open House weekends in downtown Tecumseh, and a “It’s Not Your Mom’s Ugly Sweater” Christmas fun run in December. She also began offering a Third Thursday Market the same evenings as the Classic Car & Bike Show and Music in the Park, and organized a decorated Christmas tree display benefiting the Tecumseh Service Club.

She has also served the larger community as a member of the Lenawee County Fair Board, on the board of the Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, as a member of the Tecumseh Rotary Club and as a chamber ambassador, and last November she created a dinner fundraiser to benefit homeless Tecumseh Public Schools students through Community Learning Connections of the Tecumseh Area.

As a realtor with Homestretch Associates of Front Street Realty, Jessica’s income relies on real estate sale commissions, so her illness has affected not only her and her husband Matt’s income but has added medical bills to the weight the couple has to bear. Friends and family have been rallying to assist, with a dine-to-donate event held by Tecumseh Brewing Company on February 23 and a silent auction put on by members of Janis Montalvo’s team at Living in Lenawee Realty during their 10-year anniversary party Friday night. Janis said they auctioned off 27 baskets of items donated by various businesses and individuals in the community and raised $4,100 for Jessica.

“She’s a fellow realtor and we’ve been social friends for quite a while,” said Janis. “We felt like this was something that our team could do to support her during the time that her business is slowed down due to her illness.”

On Thursday, March 21, the community will have another opportunity to support Jessica on her health journey when friends will host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser with all proceeds to go toward her expenses. With spaghetti provided by Tuckey’s Big Boy, salad by 3 Dudes and Dinner, breadsticks from Basil Boys and cake from Sharon Baker, the dinner will take place from 5-8 p.m. at The Ashlar, 700 Bishop Reed Dr., and attendees can arrive at any time during the event.

The spaghetti dinner event will also include live music by Brett Maynard and a silent auction with many local items, gift baskets, and other items provided by friends and family.

Jessica Sattler organized a table sponsorship for the dinner with a total of 32 tables available at $100 each. “The tables sold out within two hours, so fast we couldn’t even get the information on the flier in time. I think that really demonstrates what an impact Jess has had on Tecumseh and how much support this community is and will continue to give to her,” she said. “We hope to raise $20,000 to support her while she heals and help with medical expenses. This is the beginning of a journey, but there is no doubt Jessica can win this thing. She has a community of love, support, and prayer behind her.”

Tickets for the dinner are $20 each for adults and $10 for children and may be purchased with cash at the door or pre-ordered online using an Eventbrite link on the Spaghetti Fundraiser Dinner for Jessica Stretch event page on Facebook. Additional donations are being accepted through Venmo @jessica-stretch-4.

In addition, t-shirts are being sold by SpecialTee prints for $20 with all proceeds benefiting Jessica. To order, visit SpecialTeePrints.chipply.com/JessicaStretch.