Benefit set for baby Elijah

Benefit set for baby Elijah

Brittany O'Connell Sterner and Tel Sterner's baby boy was delivered on Sept. 1, 12 weeks premature.

Elijah Tel Sterner weighed only 2 pounds 10 ounces, and he faced a variety of medical problems.

He is now in Benefis Neonatal Center in Great Falls. He will likely be there until Thanksgiving, said his aunt, and Brittany's sister, Shaylee Lewis.

Elijah is improving but has had his ups and downs.

He had a serious infection, and now doctors fear he may be getting another one.

On Thursday, the community will be able to help provide moral and financial support for the family at a free-will spaghetti feed and silent auction at St. Jude Thaddeus Church Parish Center, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The money raised will be used to offset high medical expenses, loss of wages and travel expenses, said Lewis, who along with Brittany's lifelong friend, Alysia Pedraza, is sponsoring the event.

"This has always been such a great community to our family," said Lewis. "So we are hoping people will turn out in great numbers."

She said several baskets with something for everyone will be available at the silent auction.

If people can't make it, they can make a contribution through an account set up at Bear Paw Credit Union, she said.

Brittany O'Connell Sterner and Tel Sterner's baby boy was delivered on Sept. 1, 12 weeks premature.

Elijah Tel Sterner weighed only 2 pounds 10 ounces, and he faced a variety of medical problems.

He is now in Benefis Neonatal Center in Great Falls. He will likely be there until Thanksgiving, said his aunt, and Brittany's sister, Shaylee Lewis.

Elijah is improving but has had his ups and downs.

He had a serious infection, and now doctors fear he may be getting another one.

On Thursday, the community will be able to help provide moral and financial support for the family at a free-will spaghetti feed and silent auction at St. Jude Thaddeus Church Parish Center, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The money raised will be used to offset high medical expenses, loss of wages and travel expenses, said Lewis, who along with Brittany's lifelong friend, Alysia Pedraza, is sponsoring the event.

"This has always been such a great community to our family," said Lewis. "So we are hoping people will turn out in great numbers."

She said several baskets with something for everyone will be available at the silent auction.

If people can't make it, they can make a contribution through an account set up at Bear Paw Credit Union, she said.