A benefit is planned 2-7 p.m. this Saturday at the Ham Lake Lanes in Ham Lake for Columbus Elementary School teacher Janine Allen who lost her left leg in an August motorcycle crash in South Dakota.

Allen was a passenger of a motorcycle driven by her husband, Bernie, which was involved in a crash with a second motorcycle near Keystone, SD on August 7. The benefit will help the family raise funds to offset medical costs and to provide a temporary prosthetic for Allen who has yet to return to Columbus where she is a gifted resource teacher and technology specialist.

During her three-week hospital stay, Janine Allen underwent two left leg amputations. The first was below the knee and the second was above the knee due to unhealthy tissue and bones. She also spent one week in a rehabilitation facility. She will be fitted with a permanent prosthetic in the spring. Bernie Allen suffered a broken knee cap, fractured tibia and fibula, and broken toes and foot, all on his left leg.

The benefit will include an afternoon of music, food, beer, bowling, raffles, bake sale and a silent auction. Monetary donations may be made to the Allen Benefit Fund, 4605 NE 173rd Ave., Ham Lake, MN.

A second benefit will take place at Fatboy’s Bar and Grill in East Bethel from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009.

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