Family: Eastern Wayne Middle student doing well after '09 collision with car
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 19, 2010 1:46 PM
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Photo courtesy of the Gambrel family
Taylor Gambrel, the former Eastern Wayne Middle School student struck by a car while riding a bike near his Powell Road home in January 2009, was released from the hospital in August and is now at home with his family.
Taylor Gambrel, the Eastern Wayne Middle School student struck by a car while riding a bike near his home last year, is improving every day, his mother said.
A benefit for the family is planned for this weekend at Daniels Memorial United Church, the church that has managed the Taylor Gambrel Fund.
Taylor was airlifted to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville after the Jan. 26 accident near his home on Powell Road. He was immediately taken into surgery and remained in a coma for months afterward.
Mom Cindy Gambrel said she is pleased with Taylor's progress.
"He was released from Pitt County Hospital on Aug. 4 after being there for 190 days -- six months, one week and one day -- and he has done well," she said. "He is improving every day.
"We have settled into our new home and Taylor is in his new room at home."
She praised the efforts of the community during the 14-month aftermath of the accident.
From prayers and cards to specific efforts made on their behalf, Mrs. Gambrel said they have appreciated all the support.
Beverly Vinson, whose son, Brandon, had been the victim of a hunting accident, was behind a fundraiser to help purchase a larger mobile home for the family.
MERCI Center in Rosewood constructed a ramp for the home, and an anonymous donor offered to put up a privacy fence for the family.
Eastern Wayne Middle, where Taylor was an eighth-grader at the time of the accident, also became involved. Several students hosted a three-day fundraiser that brought in more than $1,500.
On Saturday, there will be a spaghetti dinner at Mrs. Vinson's church, Daniels Memorial, to raise money for the family from 5 to 7 p.m. Meals will be $7 each for eat-in, take-out or drive-through.
"This money is going to be going toward helping to pay the house off for the family," Mrs. Vinson said. "We have about $15,000 still to raise to get everything paid off."
Another fundraiser is being planned in the near future, she said. Bikers for Christ, a group affiliated with the Gambrels' former church home, has expressed an interest in holding a bike run to benefit the family. Donations can also be made to the Taylor Gambrel Fund, c/o Daniels Memorial United Methodist Church, 2803 E. Ash Street, Goldsboro, N.C. 27534.