American Legion supports #PrestoStrong with fundraiser

HILLCREST, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – The American Legion hosted a fundraiser on Sunday to help raise funds for AJ Presto.

Post 1194 held a Chicken BBQ, featuring raffles, plant giveaways, and a bake sale. The event also featured live music by Old Friends, and tables selling #PrestoStrong lawn signs, shirts, bracelets, and buttons.

The money goes to help cover costs for 17-year-old Presto, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a tragic swimming accident only months ago.

Friend of the family and organizer of #PrestoStrong Patti Kuruc says the page was originally created as a way to send prayers and messages to the family but has since become a force of nature in the community.

“I love AJ to death. He is such a wonderful kid and Sarah is such an amazing, sweet person. And Brian and Tina, his dad and his stepmom, are just wonderful, salt of the earth people. And we just want to support them as much as we can,” said Kuruc.

Within 12 hours of the initial post, the Go Fund Me page reached $20,000. Today, it sits just short of its $100,000 goal.

This is the fifth fundraiser #PrestoStrong has held, with similar events at Cones, New Leaf Cidery, and a vendor at the Broome County Fair.

For updates, find #PrestoStong on social media.

To donate, click here.

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