PHOENIX — A group of Phoenix firefighters created a GoFundMe for the family of a 9-year-old girl who was injured when she was struck in the face by a rock tossed onto an interstate in November.
AZ Central reported that the firefighters worked Thursday to spread word of the donation page to help with surgery costs and the family’s living expenses. The family lives in their response area and they shared the holiday with them, pledging to help raise money. The girl’s mother is single, works and has four other kids.
“This came about right around Thanksgiving,” said Jacob Hale, a probationary firefighter on Engine 13. “We were able to cook a meal for them and bring it over on Thanksgiving Day. They seemed to really enjoy that.”
They also followed up at Christmas by bringing a tree and enough presents so that each of the family’s kids had something to open.
Police arrested a 22-year-old man for hurling rocks onto the interstate, damaging 15 cars and maiming the child when a rock smashed through a windshield and into her face.
The girl has gone through extensive medical treatments over the past two months, including reconstructive surgeries.
Donations can be made to the GoFundMe page here.