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Fundraiser for Ashley Kern, teenager paralyzed after shooting

Posted at 11:35 PM, Sep 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-18 23:35:40-04

Hundreds showed up to a fundraiser  at the Harvey D. Morin VFW Post Sunday afternoon for Ashley Kern, victim of a drive-by shooting in March. Ashley, who was left paralyzed from the chest down after the incident, is determined to walk again.

The benefit featured a Chinese auction, special raffles, and face painting for kids. The fundraiser helped raise money to buy new equipment Ashley needs to recover.

"The money is going towards this piece of equipment for Ashley to try to get her walk again much faster," said Ellen Lema, Ashley's cousin. "They don't have this equipment at many other rehab places and they want to have it in-house especially during the winter months when it'll be harder to commute from Buffalo to New Jersey."

She added that the outpour of support from the community has been very special.

"It's amazing - I would never think that complete strangers would be writing us checks and bringing us cookies... bringing in anything just to support us," said Lema. "They're so friendly with Ashley and I have not heard any negative comments from people it's just a wonderful thing to see."

You can help donate money on their GoFundMe page here.