Community continues to step up to help Tripp Halstead

WINDER, Ga. — The Winder community is still turning out in droves to help raise money for a 2-year-old boy hit in the head with a tree limb during Hurricane Sandy.

Family members told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh that Tripp Halstead is comfortable and continues to breathe on his own as he recovers from brain surgery.

The latest fundraiser got under way late Thursday afternoon at Dooley's Pizza, but Kavanaugh also found people were turning their everyday routine appointments into donations, as well.

At Campbell Dental Office in Winder, a routine checkup took on a whole new meaning.

The office is donating half of what it collects Thursday to Tripp Halstead and his family.

Patient Becky Prince told Kavanaugh she was actually thrilled to be in the dentist's chair.

"That's great; it's wonderful," Prince said. "I have six grandchildren, and I can understand what I traumatic thing it is."

Tripp's story has touched hearts all across north Georgia. Winds at the peak of Hurricane Sandy snapped the large tree limb that struck his head. He has been hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury ever since.

This year, Sam Scarborough said, his own charity has chosen Tripp as its cause.

"Every year on Super Bowl night, we give away a golf cart," Scarborough said. "We sell raffle tickets. We donate 100 percent of the money we raise goes to help those families in need. When these children go through these times, the communities just come together as a whole."

Tripp's parents have spent every moment of the past 2 ½ weeks by his side at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.

Across Barrow County, the community is rallying to help the Halsteads stay there as the medical bills pile up and they're out of work.

"This just shows people have big hearts. These are such big hearts, and I'm so proud to live in this area," Scarborough said.

As for Tripp, his parents said he has had a relatively peaceful day. To stay updated on Tripp's progress, you can go here.

http://bcove.me/vp080b2x

WSBTV