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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Portlanders blast EPA for Willamette River cleanup plan ... Forest Service, Finicum supporters at odds over memorial ... Residents complain during pot hearing ... Portlanders blast EPA for Willamette River cleanup plan ... Forest Service, Finicum supporters at odds over memorial ... Residents complain during pot hearing ... CENTRAL POINT Family of injured 2-year-old seeks fundraising help Fundraiser planned for Aniyah Bennett, who suffered a broken neck in an alleged DUII crash Comment By Caitlin Fowlkes for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Caitlin Fowlkes for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Caitlin Fowlkes for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Aniyah Bennett is facing a tough road. The 2-year-old suffered a broken neck in a roll-over car crash in May, but friends and family are rallying to help the girl get the care she needs. A fundraising event, called “A Day for Aniyah," will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at Path Church, 310 N. 10th St., Central Point. Aniyah was injured in the crash Sunday, May 22, at Court and Edward streets. The driver of the car, Lindsey Codd, is a friend of Aniyah’s mother, Kimberly Bennett, who was also in the vehicle. Codd was arrested for DUII, criminal mischief, assault, reckless driving and reckless endangerment. Aniyah showed no immediate signs of serious injury after the accident, according to her grandmother and caregiver, Tanya Bender. It wasn’t until eight hours after the accident, during precautionary medical exams, that doctors realized the extent of Aniyah's injuries. She was airlifted to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, where she underwent an eight-hour surgery to repair her broken neck. Aniyah suffers from a paralyzed left arm and problems with her left leg. She will wear "halo gear" to stabilize her spine for a minimum of three months and must use a wheelchair, according to Bender. “Currently, Aniyah’s medical bills are at $500,000,” said Jessica Ramirez, Aniyah’s aunt. “At this point, the expenses are just growing, and I don’t see them stopping in the next couple of years.” “Only 30 percent of people who suffer this injury survive,” said Bender. Aniyah will be able to walk again, but she will always have an irregular gate, according to Bender. Aniyah’s family is teaming up with Foundations for Recovery to raise drug awareness in the community. The organization has helped organize the upcoming fundraiser and will provide volunteers at the event. “Addiction has affected my family, my sister, Aniyah’s mother, and my younger brother,” said Ramirez. “It destroys people. It destroys their families.” The fundraising event will include a car wash, garage sale, dunk tank, carnival games, bounce house and snacks. A raffle will feature prizes from Bobbio’s Pizza, Dutch Bros., Ezali Salon and others. The drawing will be at 5 p.m., although it is not necessary for participants to be present to win. Raffle tickets cost $2, games and food will be $1 each, and the rest is by donation. Foundations for Recovery will have a booth at the event with information about substance abuse and recovery. “I think it’s good to realize that drug addiction doesn’t only affect one person. It affects whole families,” said Doug Gould, executive director for Foundations for Recovery, which offers several programs for people and families suffering from substance abuse. Its programs aid in the recovery process, which includes employment, housing, legal help and community involvement. “We’re losing a lot of children in the community from drugs,” said Bender. “Drug addicts aren’t bad people. They have a serious disease that is difficult to control, and they need our help as a community.” Contact news intern Caitlin Fowlkes at [email protected]. By Caitlin Fowlkes for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Caitlin Fowlkes for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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