fundraiser

Allen ISD Uses “Love Week” to Help Boy Battling Enterovirus

Students in the Allen Independent School District are using an annual tradition to help a boy they call their “Superman.”

It’s the 35th anniversary of Love Week at Allen High School, an annual fundraiser that raises money for one member of the community.

This year, the students have chosen Bryan Sotelo, a 12-year-old Allen boy who, doctors say, contracted the rare enterovirus-68 over the summer.

The virus left Sotelo paralyzed and confined to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas for months.

He’s home now and going through therapy to regain his ability to walk, but the family says medical bills are mounting.

That’s where a group of Allen High School seniors stepped in.

“We, as a community, know that this is really hard, and we’re here,” said student Brianna Flynn.
Over the past week, the group has sold out of 1,300 T-shirts and 500 buttons, ordered to support Bryan.

The merchandise bears a Superman “S,” in honor of Bryan’s favorite superhero and one of his nicknames in the hospital.

All proceeds go to help the Sotelo family.

While the district doesn’t have a full count of the funds raised yet, they estimate it’s “in the thousands.”

“Originally, it was just supposed to be a service project, but now I feel like it’s had an impact on my life,” said senior Garrett Kelly, who met with the Sotelo family to help plan the event.

On Friday night, Allen ISD is hosting “Loveapalooza,” a fundraiser, concert and auction at Allen High School.

The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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