COAL TOWNSHIP - Around 300 people showed their support for a young Paxinos boy recovering from a lightning strike by participating Saturday morning in a 5K race held in his honor.
Runners and walkers took part in the Love for Logan 5K Benefit Run/Walk on Stetler Drive and the campus of Shamokin Area School District. The race benefited 10-year-old Logan Williams, who was struck by lightning in September while walking toward his Paxinos home. Logan, a son of Daniel and Michelle Williams, was taken to the Penn State Hershey hospital Oct. 24 after spending nearly a month at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
His grandfather, Mike Buriak, said last week that Logan is responding positively to treatment and stimulus, and the family is pleased with his progress. Before Saturday's race, Buriak was amazed at the support his grandson is receiving.
"It's unbelievable in such a depressed area for something like this to happen," he said. "I want to thank everyone involved, from our friends to the volunteers."
Many of the racers never met Logan, but for some, like Alaina Smelko, 23, who was one of Logan's nurses at Geisinger, the race had a more personal touch. Sporting a home-made shirt that read "Love 4 Logan," Smelko had nothing but praise for those who participated in the race.
"To see all the people supporting his journey to recovery is nothing short of inspiration," she said.