Money raised for Christina

Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 23, 2004

On Sept. 15, Katie Timmons was minding shop at the Harbour Side Restaurant and Marina when she noticed that restaurant hostess Christina Maupin hadn’t shown up for her late afternoon shift.

&uot;I saw that she was late, and she’s never late,&uot; said Timmons, a manager at the restaurant. Then Timmons remembered that Maupin had Nansemond River cheerleading practice, and went back to work.

A few minutes later, another employee called Timmons and told her to turn on the television. As she and the rest of the staff crowded around the bar TV, they saw the terrifying truth – Maupin had been in a car accident on her way to work, and was in a coma.

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&uot;We were devastated,&uot; said Timmons, who shares a Sept. 19 birthday with Maupin. &uot;She’s a really cheery, happy person. No matter what anyone says to her, she’s always happy. She’s always in happy spirits with the customers.&uot;

She and the rest of the employees decided to take up a collection. Since the Friday after the accident, a jar explaining Maupin’s plight and displaying her smiling face has been on display at the podium just inside the door.

&uot;We have a lot of regulars in here that remember her,&uot; Timmons said. &uot;She always made conversation with the people at the bar.&uot; They and the rest of the customers have raised over $400 for Maupin’s expenses, and hope to continue to do so until she gets out of Norfolk Sentara General Hospital.

&uot;We can’t wait until she gets well,&uot; Timmons said. &uot;We hope she comes back home to us, because we all really miss her!&uot;

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com