Local resident and Saucon Valley Lion Ray Campbell, who suffered serious burns in a welding accident Oct. 10, will be the beneficiary of an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner, bake sale and silent auction fundraiser that will be held Saturday, Nov. 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Christ Church UCC, 75 E. Market St., Bethlehem.
Campbell suffered third-degree burns over 40 percent of his body as a result of the accident, and had to be placed in a medically-induced coma to help speed his recovery.
He has since undergone several skin grafting surgeries and his condition is improving, according to Facebook progress updates posted by his family. However, he remains hospitalized at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.
On Thursday, his daughter Amy posted in the Facebook group “Supporting Ray” that her father may be released from the hospital’s burn unit to begin short-term rehabilitation in early November.
“He is healing so fast and progressing so well that he may only have to endure the burn unit for five more days,” she wrote.
Campbell is well-known for his work with the Lions, which for many years included organizing their annual gem and mineral show in Hellertown.
All proceeds from the spaghetti dinner fundraiser will help cover his medical and other expenses while he is out of work for what is expected to be about six months.
The food for the dinner is being donated, and volunteers will be staffing the event.
Tickets for the dinner–w
hich will have two seatings, at 4 and 6 p.m., respectively–are $10 in advance for adults, or $6 in advance for children under 12. A limited number of tickets will also be sold at the door for $12 for adults or $6 for children under 12 (cash only).
Advance tickets can be purchased with cash or a check made payable to the Saucon Valley Lions Club. Tickets will be on sale at the Lions’ monthly breakfast Sunday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Se-Wy-Co Fire Co., 3621 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem. Tickets are also on sale at Advanced Optics, 834 Main St., Hellertown.
Donations for the silent auction are still being sought. Anyone interested in donating should contact Amy Campbell-Musser at 484-554-6299. According to a flyer that’s being used to help publicize the event, donations have already been made by a number of local businesses.
Two separate silent auctions will be held (one during each seating), with the first one ending at 5:30 p.m. and the second ending at 8 p.m., according to the flyer.
Another fundraiser for Campbell is scheduled to be held Tuesday, Nov. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Friendly’s, 1836 Catasauqua Road, Allentown.
The restaurant will donate 10 percent of its sales–including take-out–to his recovery fund.
A cash-only bake sale will also be held at the same time.
Attendees at the Nov. 22 spaghetti dinner should use the church’s Center Street entrance to reach the basement, where it will be held.
