Spaghetti Dinner to Benefit Accident Victim

 A spaghetti dinner to benefit Lilleth "Lil" Maloney (pictured above), who was injured in a car accident last year, will be held on Sunday, February 8, from 12 Noon to 4:00 pm at the VFW on Main Street in Owego. 

 On July 30, 2003, Lil Maloney's car was hit by a freight train as she crossed the railroad tracks at an unmarked crossing near her home about a mile east of Miller Beach Road near Route 17C. She spent four weeks in a coma at Wilson Memorial Hospital, and was then transferred to Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital in Rockland County, New York, where she is still recovering from her injuries and has been receiving intensive rehabilitation.

 Lil's most severe injury has been the injury to her brain. With determination and hard work, Lil is slowly recovering.  She has re-learned tasks such as eating, reading and dressing.  She is working hard with therapists to regain her ability to walk.  Lil still has to re-learn life skills such as managing money, shopping, cooking and cleaning, so her full recovery has a long way to go.

 Lil's friends and family have organized this benefit to raise money to assist Lil with personal expenses that are not covered by insurance. Proceeds may also be used to help Lil get back on her feet when she returns to the area. 

 The dinner will Include spaghetti with sauce and meatballs, salad and bread, cake, soda, and coffee. Hot dogs, beer, and other items will be on sale to benefit Lil. In addition, a full cash bar will be available through the VFW.

 The event will also include DJ music by Steve Shrauger during dinner, and live music from 12 Noon to 3:00 pm and 5:00 to 7:00 pm with The Second Class Citizens, The Rutlin Tree Band, and The Magic Roundup.  There will also be a live auction with auctioneer Jim Balshuweit from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, and a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle from 12:00 Noon to 7:00 pm. 

 The cost is only $5.00 per person.

 For more information about Lil, visit www.helplil.com.