FPS staff report
July 9, 2012

Members of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church Youth Group display a few items being offered at the benefit garage and bake sale July 13 and 14 for the McKayla Hoopes family. Shown above from left are: Matt Hoopes, Ben Zbasnik, Seth Goshorn, Pleasant Grove UMC Pastor Mark Thomas, Emily Zbasnik and Heath Goshorn. Robbie Hoopes is in front.

A local church youth group is helping one of their own.

Members of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church Youth Group are sponsoring a benefit garage sale at the church July 13 and 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Proceeds will go to the family of McKayla Hoopes to help offset medical expenses.

A hot dog stand will be available both days and a bake sale will be held Saturday.

Emily Zbasnik, a member of the youth group, attended a leadership training which promoted community service and helping others.  Zbasnik, along with Seth Goshorn and Zack Felton, 2012 Minerva High School graduates, was instrumental in setting up the event.  

Zbasnik said the group will record 15-30 second video messages during the two-day event.  The video will be given to McKayla upon completion.  Anyone wishing to send McKayla a message can stop during the garage sale.

Hoopes, 16, was injured in a vehicle accident June 11 in Carroll County.  She was thrown from the vehicle and had bleeding on the brain, a blood clot and severe facial, neck and skull fractures. 

According to April Hoopes, McKayla’s mother, said, “She is doing well and is keeping her spirits up.  We contribute her recovering to prayers and her hard work.”  McKayla was transferred to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for rehabilitation and hopes to be coming home soon.

“She has a long road ahead of her.  Once home she will attend rehabilitation 5-6 hours each day.”

Monetary donations can be mailed to Pleasant Grove UMC, PO Box 431, Minerva, OH 44657. 

Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church is located at 5230 Arrow Rd., Minerva. 

For questions or more information, contact Emily Zbasnik at 330-451-9183, Seth Goshorn at 330-205-9554 or Zack Felton at  330-620-0016.

The Free Press Standard invites you to post your thoughts on the story in the box below.

• However, before you post, please read these few basic rules.
• Be appropriate. Posts with obscene, explicit, sexist or racist language will be deleted.
• Be polite. Posts containing personal attacks, insults, or threats will be deleted.
• Be honest. Potentially libelous statements will be deleted.
• Don't 'spam'. Posts advertising or promoting commercial products will be deleted.
• Help monitor your community. Click "Report Abuse" on any entry that violates these guidelines.
• This is your forum, with your opinions.

These posts do not reflect the views of the The Free Press Standard or its employees.