CLARKESVILLE — Looking for a way to give others something to be grateful for this Thanksgiving? Stoney’s Family Restaurant in Clarkesville and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers are hosting a blood drive in honor of 2-year-old Layla Barrett Thomas of Clarkesville this Friday, Nov. 17.
Baby Layla, as she’s come to be known, was struck by a vehicle outside her Clarkesville home and is being treated for her injuries at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Blood collected during Friday’s drive, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of the Clarkesville eatery, will be distributed to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in her honor, and in hopes of helping other children in need.
“LifeSouth has a goal of 15 donations, but we think we can double that,” says Kelli Brookshire of Stoney’s Family Restaurant. “All blood collected goes to children’s healthcare of Atlanta. This is all being done in honor of baby Layla for all that Children’s has done for her.”
Brookshire said the prognosis for Baby Layla’s recovery is much better than right after the tragic accident two months ago.
“She is such a little fighter,” Brookshire said. “Now, she’s eating solid foods and laughing. She loves playing Snapchat and sticking her tongue out so the puppy on there will. She giggles and plays peek-a-boo. She’s showing everyone that she’s a fighter and that she’s going to be just fine!”
Blood donors must be at least 17, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo I.D. is required. LifeSouth donors receive a cholesterol screening with each donation. For additional information on blood donation, contact LifeSouth at (888) 795-2707 or on the web at lifesouth.org.
An online fundraiser for Baby Layla’s family has raised roughly $2,600 of its $10,000 goal, with donations still being accepted. The link for that page is https://www.gofundme.com/sweet-baby-layla.
Additionally, Clarkesville First United Methodist Church and Natalie Heisley (formerly of Natalie Jane’s Restaurant) are holding a benefit breakfast on Sunday, Dec. 10, to raise money for the family to help Layla during her recovery at home.
Tickets to the benefit breakfast on Dec. 10 are $10 per person, and are on sale now. The church office on Washington Street in Clarkesville is accepting both financial donations and items for a silent auction.
