Benefit to aid Reschetnikow

ASPEN ” Steve Reschetnikow only lived in the Aspen area for a few years but he built up a vast network of friends. Now those friends are rallying to help him and his family in a time of need.

A benefit will be held Sunday, Sept. 14, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Bumps restaurant at Buttermilk for Reschetnikow, who was severely injured in a motorcycle accident on Frying Pan Road June 1.

Reschetnikow, 24, suffered a severe brain injury and multiple fractures in the accident and never regained consciousness. He has been treated at Swedish Medical Center in Denver. Friends and family expect him to be transferred to a hospice room any day, a co-organizer of the benefit said Monday.

The benefit will help the family with medical bills, pay off Steve’s student loans and other bills and help with the funeral and associated expenses. The benefit will feature a battle of the bands, with music by The Butchers, Funky Miracle and Still Twitchin.

Door prizes include ski passes from the Aspen Skiing Co., skis, snowboards, landscaping and irrigation work, iPods and numerous other items from a variety of local businesses. Food, beer and wine were donated by local merchants.

Tickets are $20. Organizers are urging people to ride buses and use the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority bus stops in front of Buttermilk.

A statement from Reschetnikow’s friends said he loved skiing and being on Aspen Mountain. He would ski immediately after ending his nighttime shift as a groomer.

Reschetnikow was described as even-tempered, understanding, loving and possessing a great attitude.

“He had a smile on his face every time I saw him,” said one friend, who asked not to be identified. She said he was the rare person who always looked on the bright side of life. “That’s what breaks my heart so much,” she said of his condition.

The organizers of the benefit urged Roaring Fork Valley residents to rally to the aid of the pleasant young man’s family.