Published: May 26, 2008 02:19 am      

SHELBY: Fundraiser is Tuesday for Alicia Thiel

As Town of Shelby resident Alicia Thiel recovers at Erie County Medical Center, her friends and family have been busy planning a spaghetti dinner benefit.

The fundraiser will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the American Legion Sheret Post No. 35, 131 S. Main St., Albion. Tickets are $7 presale and $7.50 at the door.

Separate tickets will be sold for a basket raffle and a Nintendo Wii raffle. Pink “Team Alicia” T-shirts — Thiel’s favorite color — will be sold for $5 each. Made by Sports + Graphics, they contain hot-pink lettering and a butterfly insignia, said Thiel’s aunt, Gina Miller.

“There’s going to be a multitude of desserts,” Miller said. “I don’t know what is going to be better, the spaghetti or the desserts.”

Thiel, 20, suffered a tragic fall in her mother’s Shelby home in April. She woke at the bottom of her stairs with no feeling from the waist down. A few hours later, she was admitted for emergency surgery on her spine.

Since that time, Thiel has been recovering at ECMC and undergoing extensive physical therapy. Her family takes hope in small achievements — she can now feel surface touch on her legs and feet and fullness in her bladder. The nurses can feel involuntary muscle movement in her hip flexor. This past weekend, she was able to move her foot.

“There are new nerve connections being made,” Miller said. “She is doing remarkable. … She is trying hard to be strong and stay positive.”

Thiel came home for the first time Saturday night for a trial stay. She is expected to be released from ECMC permanently on Tuesday. Depending on how she feels, she may be at the benefit, said her mom, Kim Lockwood.

A team of experts volunteered their time to help make Thiel’s home wheelchair accessible. Michael Bonafede worked on the bathroom, and Gary Smith donated and installed the tile. Bruce Albone worked on the heating system.

Other volunteers include Thiel’s uncles, Terry Weaver and Terry Miller, Tom Snyder, Gary Sicurella, Pete Lockwood and her stepfather, Chris Lockwood. Oak Orchard Concrete donated concrete for the front porch.

Joni Dix and a team with Community Action have painted and helped build the front porch. Two years ago, Thiel volunteered her time there, making more than 90 food baskets for disadvantaged families around Christmas.

“They wanted to pay her back by doing something for the house,” Kim Lockwood said.

More than 30 donated baskets will be raffled off at the event tomorrow. The Nintendo Wii was purchased by a group of women who exercise at Fast Fitness. The bread was donated by Uncle Sal’s Pizzeria. Homemade desserts and Tim Horton’s coffee will be provided, as well.

Spaghetti dinner and raffle tickets can be purchased at FastFitness or Arnold’s Auto Parts. Raffle ticket holders do not need to be present to win.

Nearly 500 tickets already have been sold for the spaghetti dinner, Miller said.

For those unable to stop by Tuesday’s event, a second benefit is already in the works for June 29 at the Shelby Fire Hall. A chicken barbecue dinner will be served. For more information, call Gina Miller at 721-5860.

Contact reporter Nicole Coleman at 798-1400, ext. 2227.