Fundraiser Planned To Help Student Paralyzed In Crash

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CANTON, GA -- The Cherokee County community continues to do what it can to help a Knox Elementary School student paralyzed in a two-vehicle collision. 

Donations and assistance are coming in at a steady pace for Monica Lunn and her family, and local organizations are getting involved to help with the cause.

One entity -- Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services -- is in the midst of organizing a fundraiser.

Funn For Lunn will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21 at Knox Elementary School, which is located at 151 River Bend Way. The event will feature a slew of children and family-friendly activities, including a Safari Bounce House, rock wall, carnival swing, obstacle course, raffle, food, drinks and more.

Representatives from the fire department, Cherokee Sheriff’s Office and Canton Police Department will also have several of their units at the event for residents to see and explore.

Admission to the event is $5 per person, but children under 3 will be admitted for free. Proceeds from the event will go towards efforts to purchase a wheelchair accessible van for Lunn.

The Lunn's lives were changed forever the morning of Tuesday, March 29.

The vehicle Monica, her sister Melina and their mom were occupying tried to make a left turn from Knox Bridge Highway/S.R. 20 on River Bend Way when it was hit by a Ford pick-up truck, the Georgia State Patrol previously told Patch.

Monica spent the first three weeks in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, which is where the family learned Monica would be paralyzed from the neck down and require the use of a respirator to breathe.

Doctors performed surgery to fuse a rib with her C1 and C2 vertebra in an effort to provide stability and prevent further damage and gave the student breathing and feeding tubes. Monica has since been moved to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite and is expected to be discharged in the next two to three weeks, said Knox Principal Tammy Sandell.

"It has been amazing to see the community come together on her behalf," Sandell said in response to the outpouring of support.

For example, Home Depot has offered to pay for materials needed to build a ramp at Monica's home. Taylor Construction, Sandell stated, has also agreed to donate tools and workers needed to build the ramp.

The recent media coverage has also drawn the attention of Roswell-based Sunshine on a Ranney Day, which Sandell said is in talks to makeover the Lunn's home to accommodate Monica's needs.

Other instances of the community's support include a Cherokee County School District teacher and his family donating an Apple iPad Mini so Monica can use adaptive technology, working with American Elevator of Atlanta to possibly install a stair lift inside the home and the community donating dresses for Monica to wear during the warmer months.

Sandell also said an anonymous citizen has also been cutting the grass at the Lunn Home.

"The support from and for our Knox Family is amazing," she said. "Thank you doesn’t begin to express the feelings of appreciation."

The school will continue to accept monetary donations on behalf of the family. Residents are asked to make checks out to Knox Elementary School and write Monica Lunn's name on the memo line. All proceeds will be used to pay vendors for her needs, which includes the wheelchair accessible van, Sandell states.

Anyone who has questions can also call the front office at (770) 345-4307.

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Image via Cherokee County School District