Spaghetti dinner to benefit injured soccer player

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IF YOU GO

* What: Spaghetti dinner to benefit Tarynn Sullivan

* When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday

* Where: Brooklyn Fire Hall on Main Street, Lewistown

* More information: A quilt raffle also will take place. Tickets for the raffle can be purchased by calling 513-2606.

LEWISTOWN - Prompted by an accident during a routine soccer practice that left 15-year-old Tarynn Sullivan with a severed pancreas and a long recovery, members of the community plan to host a fundraiser to help offset mounting medical bills.

Pam Elsesser of Family Auto and Carlene Powell, a member of the Derry Township Fire Police, said numerous community residents and area businesses are pitching in to help host the fundraiser, where all money raised will go directly to the Sullivan family.

To help the Sullivan family, members of the Derry Township Fire Police and Family Auto will be hosting an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Brooklyn Fire Hall on Main Street in Lewistown. The menu for the event includes spaghetti and limited meatballs, salad, rolls, cake, coffee and juice. The cost for adults is $6 and children for $3. Tickets do not need to be purchased in advance.

Sullivan, who is a sophomore at Indian Valley High School and was the starting goalie for the school's girl's soccer team, was injured during practice when she was kicked in the side - severing her pancreas and leaving her with a concussion, Elsesser said.

Sullivan's doctors say she is slated to remain at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville for another four to six weeks, after which point she should be able to come home but will need care from in-home nursing staff for another six months, Elsesser said.

Elsesser also said that Sullivan's pancreas must heal on it own, which accounts for the extensive recovery period.

Members of the community have already begun to show their support for Sullivan by agreeing to bake more than 30 cakes, which will be served at the dinner.

Lewistown Paper will donate paper supplies for the event; Richie's OIP will donate the spaghetti sauce; OIP in Burnham will donate salads and rolls, Wal-Mart donated a gift card that will be used to purchase meatballs and Family Auto will donate anything else the group needs for the event, Elsesser said.

Also during the event, there will be a quilt raffle, donated by a member of the community who wishes to remain anonymous, Powell said. The quilt is valued at $1,000, is a star-spin pattern and fits a king-size bed. Raffle tickets are $5 each and the drawing will be at 4 p.m. on Nov. 15. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the event or in advance at the following locations: Family Auto in Lewistown, Wilson's Meat Market in Lewistown and Sticky Bun Cafe in Yeagertown. Raffle tickets also can be purchased by calling 513-2606.

Sullivan is the daughter of Donnie and Tonya Sullivan of Burnham, and has two siblings: a sister, Tasia, and a brother, Drayson, Elsesser said. For anyone interested, cards of encouragement can be sent to Tarynn Sullivan at Room 393 Geisinger Medical Center, 100 N. Academy Ave., Danville PA 17822.