BY KARISSA MILLER

A 5-year-old was unable to begin the school year as a kindergartener at Union Grove Elementary after undergoing surgery for a benign, or non-cancerous, brain tumor.

The school’s PTO and community came together to support the family by having a benefit breakfast on September 14. The event raised $21,000 to help with the family’s medical expenses.

Union Grove Voluneteer Fire Department also held a raffle, which the child’s grandmother won. Naturally, she donated all that money back to the family.

“We are so thankful for our amazing community for coming out and supporting our kindergartener,” said Principal Keeley Ward. “It was an outpouring of love to support this family.”

She expressed her gratitude to the Union Grove Elementary PTO, Union Grove Ruritans, Union Grove VFD, Nort Iredell High cross country team, and local churches and community members for their contributions to the successful fundraiser.

The child is described by his mom as very energetic, headstrong, helpful and a sweet boy. He’s been brave as he’s undergone several scans, pokes and other tests, she said.

“We were in a great amount of shock and never expected it to happen. We just take things day by day and deal with whatever comes each day. We focus on providing him all the love and support he needs,” his mom said.

After the surgery on August 8, the child spent two weeks in at Brenner’s Children Hospital in Winston-Salem.

“The whole two weeks he took everything in stride. For a rambunctious 5-year-old boy, you would think he would be all over the place. He handled it with such grace and by the end of it he was a little stir crazy and ready to go home,” his mom said.

If cleared he is cleared by his doctor he will likely start kindergarten in October, his mom said.

“I just cannot thank our community enough. No thanks will ever be enough for what was done. We are thankful for everyone that banned together for us. I’m just amazed by it,” she said.