It's been more than six weeks since 13-year-old Connor McKemey was severely burned in an accident at his parents' Tega Cay home, yet support for the family remains strong.
Red and white bracelets bearing the words "McKemey Strong" are being sold online and will be sold this weekend by area merchants and during Tega Cay Parks and Recreation events, said city resident Scott Shirley.
"We've all talked about how this family has touched us in this community and how we all feel their pain," said Shirley, who did not know the McKemeys before Connor's accident.
Shirley and others in the community organized the bracelet fundraiser to benefit the McKemey family trust fund, set up to help the family pay for medical and other expenses.
The bracelets cost $3 for one and $5 for two. Sale locations and times will be posted online at www.mckemeystrong.com.
The bracelets feature a bear, which represents the nickname given Connor by his family, and the color red, which his mother, Karin, said is his favorite.
Four-thousand bracelets have been ordered for the sale, but Shirley doesn't think they will last long.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we sell out of the bracelets in the first weekend," Shirley said. "The community wants to connect with the family so much."
Connor remained in critical condition Tuesday at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Ga., said hospital spokeswoman Olena Scarboro.
He was burned when an outdoor fireplace erupted, causing mostly third-degree burns to more than 85 percent of his body. Karin McKemey was burned trying to help Connor.
About 25 people from across the country have placed online orders for the bracelets since the site was created about a week ago, said site Webmaster Scott Miller.
The idea came about when the families of Shirley and Miller, who are friends, gathered to discuss how they could help the McKemeys. Miller and Shirley wanted the fundraiser to be family focused. Shirley came up with the idea of the bracelets bearing the words "McKemey Strong."
"The McKemey family has been so strong. They have showed so much strength to us as a community," Shirley said.
The community, Miller said, is searching for ways to help.
"I think that what happened and listening to the story, in your heart you want to do something to help Connor, to help the family," Miller said.
As of Tuesday, more than 85,000 visitors had read journal postings on the CaringBridge Web site page, created days after Connor's accident to keep family and friends informed of Connor's and Karin's progress.
Many fundraisers have been held, including a lacrosse tournament Saturday, T-shirt sales and blood drives for Connor and other patients at the burn center. More events are planned.
"It's gone beyond just raising money. It's like community healing," Miller said. "It takes your mind off the bad stuff. There's nothing we can physically do, except get involved in these events."
| WANT TO GO? |
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These events are planned for the McKemey family: -- Valentine's Day car wash, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sonic Drive-In, Tega Cay. Donations will be accepted for a car wash. --Connor McKemey charity golf tournament and Las Vegas night fundraiser, with golf, Feb. 21 and 22 at the Tega Cay Golf Course, and Las Vegas party, 7 p .m. Feb. 21 at the Tega Cay Community Center. To register and for details, visit www.pars4connor.org. |
