Eldorado American Legion to hold dance benefit for Ray Brown
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Eldorado American Legion Saturday night is holding a dance benefit for Ray Brown, East Eldorado Township Road Superintendent and owner of Brown Enterprises and Excavating, who was injured March 21 during tornado clean up.
Brown received a serious head injury while assisting with tornado cleanup near Water and Brady Streets in Harrisburg. According to Brown's brother-in-law, Kenny Roberts, Brown was welding on the thumb of his backhoe when the thumb fell and hit him in the head. The thumb is the piece of iron that clamps shut to the backhoe bucket to pinch and lift objects. When the thumb fell, it smashed Brown's helmet against the bucket.
Brown is currently being cared for at Indiana University Health Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind., where he is improving gradually.
"He's making little progresses everyday," said Brown's sister, Marlene Roberts. "He looks so much better. He's come a long way."
She said they have heard a few words from Brown since the injury, but he still has a long road ahead of him as he recovers. With help from the Eldorado American Legion Post 169, friends Rafe and Kenny Baugher organized a benefit dance to raise funds to assist with Brown's medical bills.
The Old School band will play from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the American Legion, and a silent auction will be set up from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Marlene Roberts said there is a large variety of items available at the silent auction, including many gift cards to local businesses and restaurants.
She said the family would like to thank everyone who donated for the event.
"People have been so generous with donations," she said.
They are asking for a $5 donation at the door, but donations of any amount are appreciated. Anyone who would like to make a donation but cannot come to the benefit may donate to the Ray Brown Fund at any local Legence Bank.