Community coming together for local woman critically injured in Super Bowl Sunday head-on collision in Palo Cedro
SHASTA COUNTY, Calif., — With several fundraisers, raffles, and other activities already planned or in the works, community members throughout southern Shasta County are continuing to come together to help raise much needed financial help for a young Bella Vista woman who was critically injured in a head-on rollover traffic collision in Palo Cedro last Sunday, Feb. 13.
Described as “a beautiful girl with a beautiful heart”, 19-year-old Abby Barefoot remains hospitalized in critical condition, and family, friends, and co-workers are now helping to get the word out about the ongoing and upcoming fundraisers, including a day-long fundraising event to be held tomorrow at Abby’s place of employment, Goodtimes Pizza and Things in Palo Cedro.
LEADING THE SCNS HEADLINES:
Recent Yreka PD patrol arrests highlight importance and need for continued pro-active policing
Westwood man, 34, accused of ongoing sexual abuse of minor arrested, remains held on $1 million bail
Felon shot & girlfriend arrested after violent confrontation during Redding residential burglary
Abby, who juggles her time as a full-time college student and full-time employee at Goodtimes Pizza where she has worked for the last two years, was critically injured around 10 a.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, when she was involved in a head-on rollover collision while she was on her way to work, Goodtimes Pizza and Things owner Troy Parrott told SCNS today.
“Abby didn’t show up on time, which is unlike her. She’s almost always on time to work and never more than a few minutes late,” Troy explained, saying his concern only grew when he heard sirens go past the restaurant and Abby still wasn’t answering her phone.
He soon learned the terrible truth after seeing social media posts about the collision, which occurred less than a mile from Goodtimes Pizza.
19-year-old Abby Barefoot, of Palo Cedro, was critically injured in a head-on rollover crash less than a mile from her place of employment on Super Bowl Sunday. Dani Roberts / GoFundMe photo
“Abby is very smart, enthusiastic, helpful, and artistic. She is unbelievably talented at designing all our specials on our daily specials board and anyone who has ever been to Goodtimes undoubtedly had the pleasure of meeting her,” Troy went on to say. “She is amazing with our customers, and they all love her.”
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare, and we just want to help take some of the burden off the Barefoot family,” Troy continued. “They are at her side and missing work, and we just want to help with any expenses that come up so they can put all their focus on Abby’s recovery.”
To help with Abby’s mounting medical bills and expected cost of her recovery, Troy recently announced a day-long fundraiser for her and her family, with 100% of the restaurant net sales for the day being donated.
SEE ALSO: Exploring Shasta County History: The Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce
“We know that this community always steps up big with their hearts in all the tough times and we are asking for you all to come together for Abby and her family, as we want to send her and her family all the love, prayers and good vibes possible as they navigate these difficult times,” Troy continued.
But as Goodtimes’ owner, Troy and his family decided to go one step further, announcing this week that he and his family planned on matching all received donations, penny for penny.
“Normally we limit fundraisers to four hours, but this is not a typical fundraiser,” Troy explained, adding, “We love Abby and all our employees like our own family. They’re like our own kids.”
Well known throughout the community for her bubbly personality, artistic talents, and love of life, Abby remains in critical condition after last Sunday’s collision. Troy Parrott / Goodtimes Pizza and Things photo
In addition to the cash fundraiser, Goodtimes will be doing a raffle of several gift baskets with items donated from throughout the local business community. The restaurant will be selling tickets starting Monday and continuing all week, until they draw the winners’ names on Saturday, Feb. 26th.
To assist with the day-long fundraiser, United Shasta has helped coordinate volunteers and Goodtimes has six former employees who have offered to come back and help for the evening. According to Troy, many others from throughout the community have also volunteered their help and support for the evening.
However, with many area residents and others from the surrounding communities pledging to come in to dine for the evening, Troy has asked those planning to attend to remember it will be a busy night and to be patient as employees and volunteers deal with the expected influx of both in-person dining as well as online orders.
To help with expected increase in traffic, Brinks Vet Clinic, Palo Cedro Physical Therapy, Red Rock, and Queue Signs/Radar Excavating have all opened their parking lots for overflow parking after they close. Additionally, Highway Specialty Co., Inc is going to help with parking direction signs.
To help with Abby’s mounting medical bills and expected recovery expenses, Troy and Cinnamon Parrott, owners of Goodtimes Pizza and Things in Palo Cedro, are holding a day-long fundraising event with 100% of all net proceeds being matched by the Parrott family.
For those who can’t make it to the Monday, February 21st fundraising event, Goodtimes has placed a drop-off donation box inside the restaurant, located at 22049 Old 44 Drive, in Palo Cedro. They will continue receiving donations at least through the 26th, but may continue allowing donations as needed.
In addition to the day-long fundraiser planned for tomorrow, Black Rose Coffee & Tea did a fundraiser on Friday and will be donating 50% of their net sales, and cash drop-off locations have been set up at In & Out Market in Palo Cedro and Redding Auto Detail.
A GoFundMe account has also been established on Abby’s behalf, and as of Sunday the fundraiser had accumulated nearly $16,000.
For more information about donating or how you can help with tomorrow’s day-long fundraiser, contact Troy or Cinnamon Parrott via Facebook or at (530) 547-4555.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.