For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009
BOOT SHAKE RAISES MORE THAN $12,000 FOR INJURED TEEN
Volunteers from St. Tammany Fire District 1 raised more than $12,000 last Saturday to help defray the medical costs of Ashlee Stokes, a Northshore High School student seriously injured in a collision with a drunk driver 18 months ago.
Working with Ashlee’s fellow cheerleaders from Northshore High and with the cheerleading squad from Boyet Junior High, firefighters stood at the corner of Gause Boulevard and Rue Rochelle for four hours last Saturday, shaking their boots and taking donations for Ashlee and her family. The Northshore High School Band also accepted donations at its Band Festival, and an anonymous donor contributed several thousand dollars to the cause.
In total, donations from Saturday’s efforts reached $12,020, which was deposited into Ashlee’s account at Central Progressive Bank yesterday. A formal presentation of the donations will occur on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Ashlee’s 17th birthday party, which doubles as a fundraiser for the family. That event will be held at Community Christian Church, 1460 W. Lindberg, Slidell, from 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10, which includes a meal and raffle entry.
Ashlee continues to suffer the effects of the wreck, working with a number of healthcare professionals and the support of her family to overcome traumatic brain injury.
For more information or to donate to Ashlee’s family, visit www.AshleeStokes.com.
Participating in last Saturday’s boot shake were firefighters Tyrone Collins, with his wife Debbie and son T.J.; Van Joffrion, with his wife Jenn and son Evan; Lionel Baker; Billy Dekemel; Phillip Rodriguez; Eric Abney; Jacob Frich; Robert Dudenhefer; Kenny Sanders, and Lester Schellinger.
Raising Cane’s provided food for the volunteers, and Coldwell Banker allowed use of its office nearby. Signs Now helped with donation of sign materials, and the New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union stayed open late to help with counting and processing of donations.
Media contact: James Hartman, [email protected] or 504.458.4600.