SALISBURY — A spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Jacob Riley Usher will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Partners in Learning, 2300 W. Innes St.
In March, 3-year-old Jacob had surgery at Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston- Salem to repair a hole in his heart and replace a heart valve.
Since then, he has been hospitalized several more times due to complications.
According to his grandmother, Linda Smith Hawkins, Jacob is recovering but will need a heart and lung transplant.
Jacob, who also has Down syndrome, has been cared for by Partners in Learning since infancy.
But he has been unable to return to preschool since his surgery.
Norma Honeycutt, executive director of Partners in Learning, said staff organized the fundraiser to help his family with expenses.
Hawkins said she lost her job earlier this year because she had to be away from work to care for Jacob.
Partners in Learning is offering spaghetti plates, drinks and desserts for a suggested donation of $6 for adults and $3 for children.
Proceeds will pay for the family’s travel and lodging expenses for recent and future hospital stays.
For more information, call Partners in learning at 704-638-9020.