Published April 29, 2009 05:18 am - A community stunned by the mauling of a 9-year-old girl by a bullmastiff has opened its heart and now its pocketbook to aid the victim and her family.
Cut-a-thon raises $4,400 for family of injured girl
Another benefit set for Saturday
By Rick Dandes
The Daily Item
KULPMONT -- A community stunned by the mauling of a 9-year-old girl by a bullmastiff has opened its heart and now its pocketbook to aid the victim and her family.
While Amanda Smith, of 1039 Chestnut St., lies in fair condition after several reconstructive surgeries in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, one event already has raised $4,400 and another is planned for this weekend. Her family recently moved to Kulpmont from Lewisburg.
The West End Fire Association will hold a fundraiser from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday. There will be food, draft beer and a D.J. for $10 a person with all proceeds going to the girl's family.
On Monday, $4,400 was raised at a cut-a-thon at Sassy Snippers, a hair salon owned by Tressa Reiner, of Kulpmont. Hair cuts were given in exchange for donations to the family. Baskets of gifts were raffled off, and food was sold.
Reiner said she and her husband, Steve, were inspired to hold the event after reading accounts of the mauling in newspapers. They have two children of their own, but do not know Amanda or her family.
Businesses and organizations that contributed to the cut-a-thon included Boyer's Food Market, Curves, Anthracite Meat Markets, the Kulpmont Police Department and the Kulpmont Borough Council.
The dog's owner, Maryjoy Ruffner, 45, of 1040 Chestnut St., has been cited with failing to keep the dog under control. She has agreed to have the dog euthanized.