Community turnout ‘great’ at benefit for girl with spinal injuries after crash
The community came in droves Saturday, Oct. 3, to American Legion Post 117 to support Rowan Renee Sciullo, a 5-year-old girl who suffered a spinal injury after being involved in a car crash in August in Connoquenessing Township.
The crash left Rowan unable to use her legs, and she is currently hospitalized at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, going through recovery with aftercare on the horizon.
Turnout at the benefit was much better than he had expected, said Brett Sciullo, Rowan’s father.
Sciullo said that guests had been coming up to offer well wishes and prayers, along with cards and letters from their children.
“It's relatable,” he said. “If you have small children, having an accident happen that you're not ever going to be prepared for — it hits people a little differently everywhere.”
The event, which took place from noon to 7 p.m., consisted of a 50/50 raffle, $10 dinner tickets for a spaghetti and meatball meal and a silent auction.
“We have a bunch of things going on,” said Cassidy Nixon, the event’s organizer. “Every way you can try to make money, we're doing it.”
Angelina Humenik, a 13-year-old girl, performed old country music at the benefit to help the family.
As of Saturday, a GoFundMe titled “Hope and Healing for Brett’s Little Girl” set up to raise money for Rowan’s medical bills and aftercare costs has raised $44,163 of its $45,000 target.
On Friday, Oct. 2, Sciullo posted an update on the page about Rowan’s condition. He said his daughter has been alternating between neck brace on and off, and has been in the rehabilitation unit for several weeks.
“Rowan has danced with me in the courtyard and still retains a great love for music, and has been so very grateful for everyone who has visited, donated and who has simply cared,” he wrote.
Rowan is tentatively scheduled to be discharged from the hospital on Oct. 15, almost two and a half months after the crash.
“(Rowan) is making leaves and bounds as far as progress is concerned,” Sciullo said Saturday, but she still has some way to go before she can return home. The family is working to make sure proper aftercare is made available to Rowan, with the right people helping her.
“We're figuring out a regiment to be able to get her home,” Sciullo added.
