This summer, Ervin Zimmer faced a medical emergency
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The calf of his right leg swelled to triple its normal size and Ervin spent the next several days in the hospital before the infection was finally brought under control.
According to Darlene, his wife of more than 40 years, Ervin's struggles are not over; he still battles health problems, including complications from diabetes and arthritis. Though improved, his leg has not fully recovered.
Ervin and Darlene Zimmer have lived in Carrington since 1967, when they moved from Tappen. They raised their three sons, Kevin, Kelvin and Monty, in Carrington, and before his retirement, Ervin worked at a variety of jobs in town, including managing Solar Propane for eight years and 40 years of doing janitorial work at the local school, the Foster County courthouse and various Carrington businesses.
Though both are in their late 60's, the Zimmers supplement their fixed Social Security income by cleaning the Prairie Inn Cafe; even so, the couple battled financial crisis.
"Ervin's infection was a real setback; so many medical expenses and prescriptions were not covered by the insurance," Darlene explained.
That's where Operation Round Up stepped in. Thanks to our participating members, Operation Round Up was able to help Ervin and Darlene with their medical expenses. In September, they received a $500 Operation Round Up grant.
As Ervin put it, "I want everyone to know that the $500 grant sure meant a lot to us...it was like Christmas came early."