Friends of man injured in Metrolink train crash hold fundraiser

Kloster Family Friends and relatives of Moorpark resident Michael Kloster, who suffered major internal injuries in the MetrolinkUnion Pacific train collision on Sept. 12, will host a golf benefit next month to raise money for the local man and his immediate family.

"So many people have wanted to help out in some way, we thought this would be a great form of support," said Kloster's nephew Jason Townsley, 19, a Thousand Oaks resident who is organizing the event with the help of his father, Dave, and Kloster's friend Alan Rowland.

The fundraiser will be on Sun., Nov. 16 at Los Robles Greens Golf Course in Thousand Oaks. Check-in is at 7 a.m., and tee time will start at 8 a.m., with a lunch buffet to follow.

According to the Los Angeles Times, "Kloster's family spent hours trying to locate him after the crash. Once they found him, they faced harrowing days and nights of waiting and wondering at UCLA Medical Center."

Kloster, 48, is out of UCLA's intensive care unit, where he remained until last week, but he is still in the hospital undergoing physical therapy to further his recovery, Townsley said.

The local man, who works as a sound engineer for Ascent Media, a postproduction sound company in Burbank, is the main wage earner for his family. His wife, Christi, stays home to raise their two children, Michael, 11, and Sophia, 8.

"Mike is a nonjudgmental person who's always been there for me whenever I needed him for anything," said Jim Miller, who met Kloster when the two were in junior high school in Thousand Oaks.

"People are attracted to Mike because he never partakes in gossip, doesn't talk behind people's backs, and he's always upbeat and happy," Miller said.

Kloster reached out to his friend in his time of need, paying for hotel accommodations when Miller was homeless in 2000.

"He pulled me out of the wreckage I had created with my life due to alcoholism and drug addiction, and he gave me hope," said Miller, now a substance abuse counselor for the Ventura County Probations Department.

Kloster's parents, Ed and Barbara, live in Thousand Oaks.

"They, too, are amazing people," Miller said.

"This (the accident) is a giant challenge, but with the help of our good friends and people in the community we will get through this," said Townsley.

Organizers are seeking sponsorships from local businesses for the golf tournament and donations as well, which can include gift certificates, dinners, movie tickets and other merchandise to be used as prizes or in the silent auction.

In addition, an account has been set up at Wells Fargo bank to collect funds for the Kloster family. Checks can be mailed to 944 Calle Jazmin, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. Include contact information; notification will be sent when the donation has been deposited.

Preregistration for the golf tournament is $125 before Nov. 6 and $150 thereafter.

Organizers have also planned activities for family members and children who are not participating in the golf tournament. The buffet lunch will be open to non-golfers for $20.

For information about the fundraiser or to register for the tournament, call Townsley at (805) 807-5630 or e-mail him at jasontwnsl@aol.com. To offer sponsorship or donations, call Rowland at (805) 236-5455.