Mathews and the surrounding communities are again stepping up to help out a friend in need. Fundraisers are being held to support the recovery and rehabilitation of Stacey McDonald, a Mathews resident who fell down a flight of stairs on Jan. 6 and suffered a significant head injury.

The latest fundraiser is a raffle being sponsored by Howard-Dooley Café, with numerous businesses in Mathews, Gloucester, and Middlesex donating items. According to Terry Lynn Hudgins of Bavon, who has been coordinating fundraising efforts, more than 40 items have been donated for the raffle so far, ranging from household goods to fishing equipment, gift baskets to jewelry, artwork to all-weather jackets. There are numerous gift certificates for everything from haircuts to groceries to meals at local restaurants, she said, and there are even tickets to an upcoming murder mystery. There will be cash prizes, as well.

Howard-Dooley owner Tracey Sorey said donations for the raffle will be accepted at the...