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Blind Salmon Arm teen gets set for vision surgery

Fundraising: Community contributions allow Jody Hanna the chance for sight.
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One piece at a time: Jody Hanna works on a jigsaw puzzle while sitting with her mother Alicia at the kitchen table.

It’s in the bank. She’s on her way.

Jody Hanna will travel to Phoenix, Ariz. for a Jan. 11 appointment that will hopefully give her sight.

A donation of close to $4,000 from Salmon Arm Secondary’s Sullivan Campus leadership class took the  fundraising goal of $20,000 over the top Wednesday.

“It’s just wonderful, I love living in this community because everybody just comes together for everything,” said an excited Scotiabank manager Vicki Green. “It’s just amazing, if there’s a need, everyone just comes to the party.”

But the $20,000 was just a “bare-bones” goal says Lisa Devries, who researched medical procedure possibilities for Jody on the Internet and, after finding encouraging news, set to work raising money.

More funds will be needed for other medical expenses and Devries is counting on more great support at an all-day fundraising event to be held at Sturgis North Pub tomorrow.

A pancake breakfast will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a special “Jody Burger” at lunch.

Sturgis North Pub will donate 50 per cent of the day’s food sales to the fundraiser. There’ll be karaoke at noon with Kissin’ Cosens, and the Dan Engelland Band at 9 p.m.

A live auction, beginning at 2 p.m., will feature  more than 100 items, including a houseboat vacation, four-day camping holiday at the beach, a $600 lawn mower, $500 towards the purchase of a new car, a park bench, outdoor heater, jewelry and much more – graciously donated by local businesses.

“Stuff is coming into the pub, and we don’t know where it’s coming from,” said Devries with excitement. “They’re just giving this community, it’s wonderful.”