Saturday, July 4, 2009

Community rallies for injured teen

Pilar Armstrong El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

Socorro-area residents turned out en masse last week to support a teenager who was seriously burned during a recent camping trip.

Hundreds of tickets were sold for the June 26 barbecue benefit for 16-year-old Samantha Schnell of Socorro. Event proceeds will help defray Schnell's growing medical expenses.

Schnell suffered burns over her legs and feet after a propane heater malfunctioned. She had allegedly used bug spray on her legs prior to the fire.

Schnell was rushed to a Silver City hospital, where she was treated before being sent to a burn center in Phoenix. According to friends of the family, Schnell has undergone surgery, including skin grafting, as part of her treatment.

In an effort to assist the Schnell family, area 4-H representatives leapt into action to help one of their own. With the help of L.J.'s Branding Iron, the benefit idea was born.

Two days prior to the benefit, Lupita Rincones and her son, Robert Rincones Jr., began preparing the food. For the next 48 hours, Lupita, Robert Jr. and Robert Rincones worked in shifts to ensure that everything would be ready for Friday's benefit.

The Rincones, however, weren't the only ones to contribute to the cause.

Zeke Armijo donated the bread for the meals; Wal-Mart gave the group a discount on the 300 pounds of beef brisket; Christina Romero and Carlina Harris of the Socorro County 4-H made beans and donated their time to sell tickets and dish out the grub; Anthony Peralta donated a quarter of a cord of wood used for smoking the meat and 4-H members also donated paper goods and utensils for the event.

Lupita Rincones said the outpouring of community support was amazing.

"I'm so proud to live in Socorro," Lupita said. "It's so amazing to watch the whole community come together to help one of its own."

Theresa and Tom Dean — 4-H director and assistant director, respectively — have known and mentored Schnell through 4-H for the past seven years. The organization coordinated the charitable event.

Tom Dean reported that nearly 500 tickets were sold for the benefit. At $6 per ticket, the fundraiser generated an estimated $3,000.

Dean echoed Lupita Rincones' sentiments regarding the community's support.

"Once the word got out about the benefit, we were overwhelmed with phone calls from community members who not only wanted to buy tickets, but also to offer their help in whatever way we needed," he said.

Lupita's son, Robert Jr., took off two workdays to help his mother and father with the barbecue.

Schnell's grandmother, Cathy Martin, who attended last week's benefit, said she was grateful for the efforts undertaken on her granddaughter's behalf.

"We'd like to thank everyone for their prayers and support, kindness and love," Martin said. "Samantha is healing well. We're fortunate that she's in the best place in the country."

parmstrong@dchieftain.com

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