“Rise and Walk” Benefit Set to Help Paralyzed Local Congers Volunteer Fireman

BY SHARA BEITCH

On Saturday, June 14, Knights of Columbus and Orangetown Police Benevolent Society (P.B.A) will be hosting a “Rise and Walk” benefit for Gary Baisley. The event will take place on 150 West Erie Street in Blauvelt, NY from 7 – 11 p.m. The proceeds of this benefit will help defray some of the catastrophic medical bills for Gary Baisley who was paralyzed after an accident in the Hudson River last August.

Raffle tickets will be sold for $100 dollars, which will include entry to the fundraiser. The grand prize of the night will be $10,000. Refreshments and food will be served all night long, as well as live entertainment from SRO, Cousin Moran, Rockland County Emerald Society, and surprise celebrity appearances.

Prior to Baisley’s injury, he was working three jobs as well as giving back to the community as a Volunteer Fireman of Congers, NY. “He has handled his injury with dignity and class and still puts a smile on everyone’s face with his infectious sense of humor”, writes Orangetown P.B.A Fundraising Chairman, Patrick Frawley. “Now it is our community’s turn to give back to one of its volunteers who has risked his life to help others.”

After Gary Baisley’s fatal accident, he was held at Westchester Medical Center for nearly three weeks where he fought for his life through numerous surgeries. Baisley’s will to survive stunned his doctors and friends, persisting even more once being transferred to Helen Hayes.

Baisley has recently been accepted into a new program that is redefining possibilities for the Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis Community called “Push to Walk.” This program does not accept any insurance; therefore all fees are being paid out of pocket by Gary’s family. This contributes to expensive medical bills already being paid by his family since the tragic accident.