A 6-year-old who slipped under the ice of a pond in rural Hocking County earlier this month isstill hospitalized, and on Saturday friends and family held a fundraiser in his benefit.
Alexander Hanson-Cyrus was attending a birthday party on Jan. 3 when he fell into a pondbehind a relative's home. Rescuers arrived and pulled the boy from the water about an hourlater.
He has been at Nationwide Children's Hospital in critical condition since the incident.
On Saturday, vehicles lined the streets near the Village of Tarlton Town Hall, where alarger-than-expected crowd attended a fundraiser for Hanson-Cyrus.
There was a blood drive, along with a bake sale and raffle to help offset medial costsencountered by the boy's family.
"It's wonderful and it means a lot," said Craig Cyrus, the boy's father. "Everybody comingtogether for a little boy that they don't even know."
Chad Howard, who pulled Hanson-Cyrus from the water, also attended the event.
"For me, it's just good to see so many people come out to support a total stranger," hesaid.
Others said the fundraiser gave them an opportunity to help.
"For a while there I just felt kind of helpless," said family friend James Dutton. "I wasjust looking for something to do to be a blessing to the family."
The boy's family said his condition was improving, and doctors were becoming more positive abouthis prognosis.
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.
Previous Stories:
January 4, 2010: Boy, 6, Was Under Water For About An Hour
January 4, 2010: Boy, 6, Hospitalized After Falling Into Icy Pond
