Matthew Thoma’s family includes his wife, Janine, and three daughters. Thoma fell from a tree stand Sept. 23 while helping a friend. A fundraiser is planned for Saturday, Nov. 5. Submitted Photo
A longtime Butler Memorial Hospital nurse who cares for patients facing dire conditions in the intensive care unit is now in need of some assistance himself.
Matthew Thoma of Summit Township, who has worked at the hospital for more than 25 years, fell 20 feet from a tree stand Sept. 23 while helping a family friend.
He was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital with a broken wrist, clavicle, ribs and arm, plus a crack in his cervical spine that required a seven-hour surgery.
Thoma, who is married with three daughters, will not be able to return to work for several months.
He is now pursuing inpatient rehabilitation in Cranberry Township, as his muscles have atrophied as his fractures have healed.
His friends and neighbors, Lisa Stein and Holly Piccola, have organized a fundraiser dinner for 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Summit Township Sportsman’s Club, 501 Herman Road, Butler.
The dinner, which is $15 for adults and all takeouts and $10 for children, will include beef brisket, potatoes, green beans, rolls, dessert and a drink.
In addition, a 50/50 raffle and several valuable items will be included in raffle baskets at the event.
Penguins and Steelers tickets, a pheasant hunt for four, Masterbuilt smoker, Blackstone grill, a $650 gift certificate for four new tires and other items will be raffled to raise funds for Thoma, Stein said.
She said all proceeds will go toward expenses not covered by Thoma’s insurance, his wife Janine’s parking and gas to visit him at the hospital and other costs associated with Thoma’s inability to work during his long recovery.
Therapists are currently working to rebuild his muscles, but doctors have not yet predicted whether Thoma will be able to walk again, Stein said.
“The community has come way further than I ever thought to help this family,” Stein said of the donations she and Piccola have received for the fundraiser. “It’s nice to know there are people out there who care.”
The organizers are asking people who plan to attend the dinner to consider takeout meals, as the volume of items being raffled will occupy much of the seating area.
People not interested in the meal or raffles can donate on gofundme.com by searching “Help get Matthew Thoma back on his feet.”
