FOX RIVER GROVE, IL — A fundraiser will be held this weekend at Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove to help benefit Angelo Pleotis, a Crystal Lake man seriously injured when a car crashed into his home this summer past
The fundraising event, which starts at 10.30am on Sunday, will include ski jumping; tennis ball races, where attendees can buy a ball and see if it’s the first to roll down the hill; food and drink, including a “mega Bloody Mary bar”; and live music. There will also be a silent auction with autographed sports memorabilia and bounce houses for kids.
Live music will begin at 11:30 and will include entertainment from Last One Standing, Gray Matter, Poison Lips, Danny Vintage and Kevin Mileski. Admission will be $20 and includes food served at the event. Children are free.
All proceeds and donations will go directly to Pleotis and will help pay for his recovery.
On July 27, a car driven by Connor C. Kirkpatrick, 27, of Crystal Lake, crashed into Pleotis’ Crystal Lake home in the 100 block of Heather Drive, striking him and trapping him inside. He was freed from the wreckage and taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
He suffered a collapsed lung, broken ribs, head trauma, lacerations and two spinal fractures/dislocations, which caused paralysis, according to a GoFundMe his family set up for him.
The GoFundMe has raised more than $92,000 to help pay for their medical expenses.
His family also helped organize the fundraiser in Norge. The family has been frequenting the local ski jumping business for over 30 years and was fully supported by The owners of Norge when they applied to host the event, according to Shaw Media.
“We’re just trying to find a way to help my dad,” Phillip Pleotis told Shaw Media “We don’t know how long this rehab is going to take. There are a lot of moving parts. But we want to make sure he can live comfortably, or at least as I can”.
