PAXINOS - Ten-year-old Logan Williams and his family have received a lot of love, support and generous donations since the boy was struck by lightning near his home Sept. 28, leaving him in a coma.
On Wednesday morning, they got an early Christmas present in the form of a 2005 Town and Country van equipped with a handicap lift courtesy of the Blaise Alexander Ford Dealership in Lewisburg and Blaise Alexander Buick, Cadillac and GMC Dealership in Sunbury.
Bob Schon and Mike Andretta, general managers at the respective dealerships, and Blaise Alexander driver Bob Zechman Jr. presented the Williams family with the $10,000 five-passenger van at their home nestled in the woods at 318 Dogwood Road.
Realizing Logan's parents, Michelle and Daniel Williams, were in search of a vehicle that would accommodate the boy's special needs, family friend Nicki Barvitskie of Shamokin contacted Schon at the dealership.
"Bob (Schon) is a friend of mine and I was hoping he could help the Williams family with a vehicle," Barvitskie said. "The Blaise Alexander Dealership has been very generous for years and they came through again with their generous donation of the van. We are all so grateful."
Schon said, "The Blaise Alexander Dealership enjoys giving back to the community as much as we can. We were more than happy to help Logan and his family. All our dealerships have donated $100,000 to the flood victims in Lycoming County. Helping people in time of need is what it's all about."
'Everywhere we go'
The dealership was started 31 years ago in Montoursville by Blaise Alexander, a Mount Carmel area native who serves as president of the company.
After Logan, who is confined to a wheelchair, and his three sisters, Nadia, 4, and 3-year-old twins, Emersyn and Ameera, tried out their seats in the new van, their mother expressed her deep appreciation to the dealership and the numerous caregivers, relatives, friends and strangers who have supported her family since Logan was struck by lightning while walking toward his house after exiting a school bus.
"The van is certainly a nice Christmas present that gives us a sense of normalcy," Mrs. Williams said. "Logan doesn't have to be left out because now we can take him everywhere we go."
She added, "The love, support, donations and prayers we have received have just been overwhelming. The people have been so thoughtful and kind. And it's not just been our family and friends. We've received cards and letters from perfect strangers out of state. It's just great to know people are still thinking about Logan."
Mrs. Williams, who is the former Michelle Buriak, praised everyone for their generosity and particularly commended family members, close friends Mike and Nicki Barvitskie, and babysitter Sharri Merlino, of Coal Township.
She also praised the outstanding efforts of doctors and nurses at Janet Weis Children's Hospital on the campus of Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, the Ronald McDonald House and Penn State Hershey Rehab. "We wouldn't be where we are without their help," she said.
Logan, who uses a trachea tube to assist with his breathing, was a patient at Janet Weis Children's Hospital from Sept. 28 to Oct. 25 before being transferred to Penn State Hershey Rehab. He was released from the rehabilitation center Dec. 14.
Logan, who is a fourth-grade student at Shamokin Area Elementary School, continues to undergo therapy through the Visiting Nurse Association, while receiving nursing coverage through Bayada in Bloomsburg.
Supportive school
His mother said Logan's classmates have sent him numerous books and posters since his tragic accident. "All the students and Logan's teacher, Mrs. Stacey Hockenbroch, have been awesome," she said. "They've done everything imaginable for him and still consider him part of their class. Mrs. Hockenbroch had the students place a plant on Logan's desk and told them that just like the plant won't grow overnight, Logan won't get better overnight."
Michelle, who is currently on leave from her teaching job at Shamokin Area Middle/High School, said her students and administrators, teachers and staff throughout the district have been very supportive during the past few months.
"They have sent cards and stuffed animals to the house," she said. "The kids even have offered to wrap Christmas presents for us and babysit."
She said her husband's co-workers also have been very supportive. Daniel Williams, who is a member of the pipeliners union based in Tulsa, Okla., is currently working in Jersey Shore.
Mrs. Williams said doctors reported Logan is slowly emerging from his coma and continues to progress in other areas, but said a long-term prognosis has not yet been projected.
"He has damage to the brain area due to a lack of oxygen," she said. "But the doctors noted that since he is still young, his brain has the capacity to form pathways. They are hopeful his brain will rewire."
Mrs. Williams said Logan is able to voluntarily open his eyes and often blinks or squeezes a person's hand to communicate.
She described her son as an "amazing kid who has touched many lives."
She said Logan enjoys playing Legos and video games. He also is a big Star Wars fan and loves shooting his rubber dart gun outside.
"I just want people to keep praying for Logan because he and his family definitely need them," Mrs. Williams said. "It's going to be a long road to recovery, but it's nice to know so many people care about him."