Scootin' for Seth fundraiser will help boy with CP

Four-year-old Seth Todd has never really taken his first steps.

Todd has Cerebral Palsy, a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, and is unable to walk. But, surgery can help with that and the Belvedere Volunteer Fire Department, where Todd's dad is captain, is hosting a fundraiser for him.

There will be a host of family-friendly events on Saturday with proceeds going to the surgery, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, which involves cutting some of the sensory nerve fibers that come from the muscles that enter the spinal cord. This procedure cuts down on messages the muscle sends, which results in a better balance of activities of nerve cells in the spinal cord.

Todd has the chance to walk after the surgery, and you can help.

The event, called Scootin' for Seth, will kick off with a bake sale and yard sale starting at 7 a.m. at the Belvedere Volunteer Fire Department, 204 Hampton Ave.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. for the motorcycle scavenger hunt that will cover 60 miles. Registration is $20 and includes a barbecue plate lunch. Barbecue or hotdog lunch plates are $6 otherwise.

Throughout the day, there will be inflatables for kids to enjoy and entertainment provided by several local churches including Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church in Belvedere and Heights Church of Clearwater.

Raffle tickets will also be sold throughout the day for $1 a piece. The raffle will begin at 2 p.m. with a Husqvarna self-propelled lawn mower and a McCulloch Electric Chopper/Shredder up for grabs.

Dana Hyler, who works at the fire department with Todd's dad, said everyone is encouraged to attend.

"Seth is constantly smiling," she said. "He does therapy and even if he's tired, he finds something funny to laugh about. He is a bright kid and fun to be around."

For more information, visit www.scootinforseth.giving.officelive.com/default.aspx.