'Tattoo-a-thon' raises money for injured race driver

May 01, 2009 08:54 am

— SELINSGROVE --The outpouring of support from the local community contiunes for injured sprint car driver Cody Keller.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Machine Heads Tattoo Palor of Shamokin Dam held a 24-hour tattoo-a-thon to raise money to help offset his medical expenses.
Office manager Laura Grissinger and former racer and tattoo artist Russ Kinslow collaborated on the idea to help Cody.
"The day we heard he got hurt, we wanted decided to help out," Kinslow said. "I remember Cody racing at Lil' Greenwood Speedway and the Kellers are wonderful people."
The business has received donations for more than a dozen local businesses as well as tattoo suppliers from as far away as Canada.
"I remember the support my family received when our house burned down in 1993," Grissinger said. "I'm in a position where I can make a difference in somebody else's life. We want to show the community we have heart as well, and that we are here to help the community in times of need."
Machine Heads is donating 50 percent of all tattoo proceeds to the Kellers along with money collected from the raffle and food donations.
Keller, of Selinsgrove, is recuperating at home from injuries he sustained in an April 18 racing accident at Selinsgrove Speedway. Keller, 18, a high school senior, was released from the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville on Monday afternoon. Cards can reach Keller at Keller's Auto Body, PO Box 4, Selinsgrove, PA 17870.

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Amy Mull of Selinsgrove watches closely as her first tattoo is outlined and filled by Laura Grissinger during a 24-hour Tattoo-a-thon to benifit Cody Keller at Machine Head Tattoo Parlor in Shamokin Dam Thursday. Mull said she decided to get her first tattoo after watching her husband and daughter get inked, "I didn't want to be left out and it is for a good cause." Grissinger, manager at the parlor said they are doing this to help the Keller family because when someone in the community needs help you help. Local businesses have donated supplies and food for the event that will give 25 percent of every tattoo and all money from food, raffle, and donations to help Cody Keller who was injured during a race at Selinsgrove speedway April 18. The Daily Item