Friends of Gardnerville girl gather to help family

GARDNERVILLE - It has been a month since 11-year-old Rebecca Martin of Gardnerville was struck by a car while on her way home from getting ice cream with her grandmother in Los Angeles.

Her father Shane Martin said there are signs that Rebecca is healing slowly.

"Every other day she does something that impresses the doctors, like raising her arm or crossing her legs, or following a teddy bear with her eyes," he said. "It's been very slow, but she's showing progress."

Martin and older daughter Victoria were at the McDonald's in Minden last week for a fundraiser. The restaurant donated 20 percent of the proceeds from its 4-8 p.m. dinner rush to Rebecca's cause.

People packed the restaurant, to help out and offer their best wishes for Rebecca's recovery.

"Things have been really hard," said Victoria Martin, a Pau-Wa-Lu student. "I try not to let it show. It's been harder for my mom and dad."

Victoria's mother, Sabrina, hasn't left Rebecca's bed side since the accident occurred on Aug. 13. Rebecca was crossing a street a few feet ahead of her grandmother as they were coming home from the store. Cars in two lanes were stopped, but a third car sped between the two stopped cars, hitting her and throwing her 15-20 feet in the air.

This Sunday, two car washes are being held to raise money for Rebecca's care.

One car wash is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Stratton Center on Highway 395 and the other is at the Carson Valley United Methodist Church on Centerville.