'Connor's Army' continues to show support in Manning, raffling vintage gas pump

MANNING - Eight-month-old Connor Brooks is all smiles this holiday season.

At birth, Connor was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a genetic disorder that starts in the central nervous system and can affect every muscle in the body. The cost of his medical procedures began with one treatment at $2 million along with staggering monthly medical costs.

Connor's family; parents, Steven and Kayla Brooks; and older brother, Liam, are surrounded by loving and caring friends, neighbors and sometimes strangers, who have banded together to form "Connor's Army." The Army hosts fundraisers to help defray medical costs and they are always close by with kind words and prayers, shoulders to lean on and hands to help wherever needed.

"We are overwhelmed with the amount of support our community has shown us," Kayla said. "We can't say thank you enough. We truly appreciate each and every person who has donated, prayed and thought about us these past eight months."

To help defray Connor's medical costs, a restored 1950s vintage USC Gamecock gas pump valued at $2,000 is being raffled off with tickets costing just $10 each. The pump can be seen at Mill Street Grill, 201 S. Mill St. in Manning. Tickets can be purchased at the grill or by calling or texting Cindy Snowden at (803) 473-0283 or Kayla Brooks at (803) 473-6207. Cash or checks are welcome. Folks can also pay for their tickets via PayPal at pamperedpups1965@yahoo.com.