Ireland Nugent Benefit Raises More than $12,000

Ireland Nugent and her family were showered with attention and well wishes at the "Helping Hands for Ireland: Family Fun Day" at The Centre on Sunday, June 9. The event raised more than $12,000 say organizers, who were still tallying up donations on Monday.

Ireland is the Palm Harbor toddler whose ankles were severed in a lawnmower accident at her home in April. Her lower legs were amputated as a result of the accident. She'll require prosthetic legs for the rest of her life.

A group of the Nugent family's neighbors in Westlake Village who call themselves "Team Ireland" came up with the idea for Sunday's benefit. They convinced a large number of local businesses to donate everything from a carnival, to food, custom T-shirts, bouncy houses, entertainment, the venue and lots of silent auction items.

The event attracted people from all walks of life including U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis, the Palm Harbor-based Italian Angels Motorcycle Brotherhood, Steve Chamberland who is founder of the 50 Legs prosthetics charity, along with musicians, a young comedian, and members of the Palm Harbor community. 

The Italian Angels Motorcycle Brotherhood rode their motorcycles to the benefit. The group raised $620 for Ireland at the recent Parrot Head Party in Palm Harbor. The bikers, who were clad in red shirts and leather vests, presented Ireland and her family with a check and some other goodies (see video).

"Helping Hands for Ireland" T-shirts were also sold at the event. If you did not get a chance to go and would like to buy a T-shirt, we'll soon have information about how you can purchase one for the discounted price of $5.

No word yet on the amount of money raised. As soon as organizers finish tallying up the money, we'll let you know!

Team Ireland Members include Tracey Hoambrecker, Phil Cross, Cameron Smith, Dawn Custer, Amy McGuiness and Jessica Dobbin.

Did you buy something at the silent auction? If so, organizers say they will be distributing the items from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Westlake Village Clubhouse. 

Thanks to Photos by Lil for uploading awesome pictures of the event.

Did you attend the fundraiser? Share your photos by uploading them for everyone to see! Just click the "Upload Photos & Video" button.

Related-

• Local Italian Angels Motorcycle Club Donates to Ireland Nugent
• 8-Year-Old Comedian to Perform at Ireland Nugent Benefit Sunday
• Musician Wants to Give Ireland Nugent a Guitar Filled with Money
• Helping Hearts for Ireland: Family Fun Day
• Ireland Nugent: Toddler Injured in Lawn Mower Accident Home from Hospital
• Lawn Mower Accident: Toddler's Final Surgery Called a Success
• Outpouring of Support for Family of Toddler Run Over by Lawn Mower
• Facebook Page Chronicles Recovery of Toddler Injured in Lawn Mower Accident

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