Firefighters, friends raise $12,000 for injured Slidell cheerleader

The Stokes family got a big boost to help with their daughter’s medical bills Saturday as firefighters with Fire District One along with the donation of an anonymous Good Samaritan were able to raise over $12,000 with a boot shake in Slidell.

For the past year, Northshore High cheerleader Ashlee Stokes has been going through intense rehabilitation after she was severely injured in a collision with a drunk driver 18 months ago. The family has been struggling with medical costs for the past year, but thanks to the kindness of the Slidell community, Ashlee will be able to continue her rehabilitation. She still suffers from the effects of the wreck and is working with several health professionals to overcome severe brain injury.

Firefighters stood on all four corners at the intersection of Gause Boulevard and Rue Rochelle Saturday morning, shaking their boots and asking passing motorists to help out Ashlee Stokes.

Besides the firefighters the Northshore High and Boyet Junior High cheerleader squads all braved the chilly weather to help get donations for Ashlee. The Northshore High Band also collected donations at their band festival, where, according to Fire District One officials, an anonymous donor contributed “several thousand dollars,” to the cause.

“It was really great, and we want to thank everyone who helped,” said Chief of Fire Prevention for Fire District One Neal Ricca.

Local businesses also helped out during the boot shake. Raising Cane’s restaurant provided food for the firefighters, Signs Now donated the signs for the event, and the New Orleans Firemen’s Credit Union stayed open late to help out with counting and processing of the donations.

But there is still another chance to help out Ashlee. To celebrate Ashlee’s 17th birthday, her parents and friends are throwing her a party tomorrow at the Community Christian Church, 1460 W. Lindberg, Slidell from 1-6 p.m. The firefighters will make a formal presentation of the money they collected at the party.

The party will not only celebrate Ashlee’s birthday, but will also be a chance for the community to continue to help out with donations. Tickets for the party are $10, which includes a meal and a chance to enter a raffle.

For more information on Ashlee’s progress or to make a donation, go to the Web site, www.Ashlee Stokes.com.