Yoopers have a long-established habit of pulling together and pitching in when one of us needs help.

That’s what we think is going to happen relative a tragic 2022 playground accident that left a local teenager with a severe spinal cord injury.

In August, Ben Edwards of Marquette sustained the injury at a family gathering. Edwards, 16, who is the son of Jake and Anna Edwards and grandson of Tim and Dianne Bennett and Dave and Jean Edwards, is confined to a wheelchair as a result.

“It was a freak accident. It happened and we aren’t trying to find blame with anyone or sue anyone,” Edwards’ aunt, Mary Ganfield said for a recent Mining Journal story on the matter. “We are trying to just move forward and do the best we can.”

A big part of that process is finding means to transport Ben from place to place. The best way to do that is to modify the family van, making is handicapped-accessible.

To help offset the estimated $20,000 cost, a spaghetti dinner is being planned from 4 to 7 p.m on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Parish Hall in St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette.

The event also will include a silent auction. Prizes include gift baskets, jewelry from Jandrons and Green Bay Packers memorabilia, including replica tickets and rings, the Journal story detailed.

“I have a lot of faith in the people of this community and the surrounding communities,” Ganfield said for the Journal story. “They’re Yoopers helping other Yoopers and it’s just an awesome thing. They stand up when the call comes.”

Donations can also be made out to Jake or Anna Edwards and dropped off in the box at the event or at the St. Michael Parish office in advance of the event.

We urge readers to seriously consider helping out. You can bet the pasta will be great, just like the cause.