WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers SPECIAL PURPOSE—Simi Valley resident Amber Goesch, 15, poses in her home Wednesday with one of her jewelry pieces she's made. Amber started making the jewelry to sell as a way to make money to help a family friend who was injured after falling from a cliff. She has raised about $3,500 selling bracelets, anklets, necklaces, key chains and rearview mirror decorations. Local student Amber Goesch has found a creative way to help a family friend from Washington state who suffered serious injuries in a fall from a 32-foot cliff.

The 15-year-old sophomore at Royal High School wanted to help Gordon Gracey, a respected fishing guide from the town of Forks, Wash. who fell while hiking near his home in June 2007.

Since Gracey's horrific accident, Amber has raised $3,965 by selling jewelry that she makes.

"I felt I needed to do this," the teenager said. "There's still so much he and his wife need."

To help the Graceys pay off their medical bills, Amber makes bracelets, necklaces, earrings, anklets and keychains, selling each piece of jewelry for $5 or $10. The Royal student collected $2,360 from her first fundraising effort during November and December last year, enough to buy Gracey a hospital bed for his home.

Holly and Kurt Goesch, Amber's parents, became close friends with Gracey and his wife, Kim, during a nine-day fishing expedition in Alaska 21 years ago.

Gracey's fall landed him facefirst in a shallow, rocky river, and he was airlifted by the U.S. Coast Guard to a local hospital. He endured a brain injury that has paralyzed the left side of his body; he lost vision in his left eye and has suffered damage to his right eye.

Amber flew to Washington last November and again this past April to personally hand Gracey the money she's raised.

To cheer up the longtime family friend, Amber also collected five pages of get-well notes from people who bought her jewelry, turning the wishes into a little book.

"Gordon kept asking to see his notes from California," Holly Goesch said. "He couldn't believe how sweet people were to help him out. He would read them over and over again. He was just overwhelmed that people care and love him and try to keep his spirits up."

So far, Amber has sold 793 pieces of jewelry. She spends time making it throughout the year with a little help from her friends and her younger brother, Kyle, now 10.

"He keeps saying, 'Mom, I donated $10 from the Tooth Fairy. I helped too,'" Holly Goesch said with a laugh.

Amber, a member of the Highlanders' junior varsity swim team, hopes to raise more money this holiday season and make another trip to Forks between Christmas and New Year's Day.

"I don't have a top goal," she said. "The more money I can get the better for Gordy."

Amber's parents are thrilled that their daughter took such interest in a friend in need.

"We're so proud of her," Holly Goesch said. "It's heartwarming to have her want to help like that."

Amber will sell her jewelry at a fundraiser at her home on Sat., Nov. 15 at 1861 Fred Ave. in Simi Valley. For more information on helping the Graceys, call (805) 582-0537.