To the Editor:

There is a special little girl in our community that needs our help.

Her name is Bella Coren. She and her family are from Severn, N.C. She is the granddaughter of Walt and Diane Osbon and the daughter of Adam Coren and Alisha Smith.

Bella was born with Hirschsprung’s disease. She has spent much of her life in and out of hospitals. She has had surgeries on her colon, feet, heart, eyes and ears.

After her family noticed some developmental delays, she was sent to Duke Children’s Hospital, where she was diagnosed with Mowat-Wilson Syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder. Less than 200 people worldwide have been diagnosed with this disease.

Doctors expect Bella to have severe developmental delays, and it is most likely she will always be dependent on her family.

The Severn-Pendleton Ruritan Club will be having a benefit for Bella. It will be called Bella’s Blessings Benefit Donation Lunch. It will be held on Friday, August 19, from 11 a.m. until …

The plate will consist of pork chops, string beans, potatoes and bread. Plates can be eat-in or taken out. Large orders can be delivered. A minimum donation of $7 is requested for each plate.

To reserve plates, please call Lori Burgess 252-585-0970, Rita McKeown 252-585-0894 or email rmtindeco@centurylink.net, or the Severn Town Hall 252-585-0144.

Anyone that doesn’t want a plate and wishes to make a donation, can do so through Paypal at bellasblessings@live.com or mail check made payable to the Severn-Pendleton Ruritan Club to Lori Burgess, 790 Deloatch Mill Road, Conway, N.C., 27820.

Let’s show Bella and her family what the word community means — friends coming together to help friends.

Bella is a sweet, remarkable little girl and is an inspiration to all of us. Everyone should get to know Bella. You will be a better person for it.

More information can be obtained about Bella on Facebook at Bella’s Blessing Benefit Donation Lunch. Any further questions, please call any of the numbers listed previously.

Thanking you for your support.

Lori Burgess
Severn Pendleton Ruritan Club