The Mississippi Songwriters’ Alliance is putting on an event to benefit the family of Connor P., an eight-year-old boy with quadriplegia.
Connor is a Wade native who was born with minor neck issues, but incurred a spinal injury at a young age and underwent two surgeries, one of which left him paralyzed from the neck down.
The eight-year-old currently operates a wheelchair that is controlled by an iPad and has to use a feeding tube to eat, and a ventilator to breathe.
He also has to travel to New Orleans, La. for hospital visits, which has posed a transportation issue for the family given the large items he needs to have on hand at all times. 
Around a month ago, Connor’s grandmother reached out to Buck Allen, an ambassador with the Mississippi Songwriter’s Alliance, to see if he would host an event for the eight-year-old just as he had for Avyn Williams, a 10-year-old girl with scoliosis.
“You can imagine trying to transport a large wheelchair, a little kid, a ventilator, and all of the equipment that goes with him back and forth from Wade, Mississippi to New Orleans, which is over 100 miles. That would be pretty tough,” Allen told SuperTalk Mississippi News. “We’re trying to find a van, trying to raise money to purchase a van, and trying to do some good for the family.”
In order to raise money to help the family purchase a vehicle capable of transporting all of the child’s essential items, the Connor P. benefit will be taking place on Saturday, July 22 in two different spots.
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Connor’s grandmother will be hosting an event featuring yard sale items, kids’ games, and local vendors at 6800 Highway 614 in Hurley.
At 6 p.m., attendees are encouraged to go right across the street and visit Hurley Huddle for live music put on by the Mississippi Songwriter’s Alliance, raffles, and door prizes. The main door prize will include over $1,000 in donated items from local businesses and individuals.
All of the proceeds from the raffles and door prizes, as well as 20 percent of wing sales at the restaurant, will go toward assisting Connor’s family.
Those interested in donating to the family, but are unable to attend the fundraising event can contact Allen at (228) 990-6946.
