LIVERMORE FALLS — U.S. Army military policewoman Sgt. Helaina Lake is getting around in a wheelchair and is able to get herself in and out of bed at the military hospital in Maryland, her father, Bernal Lake, said Monday.

Sgt. Lake, a 2007 Livermore Falls High School graduate, was seriously injured in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan in June.

She has to undergo more bone grafts to her shattered leg, but her recovery is looking good, her father said.

Her 2-year-old son, Aden, is now with his mother and grandmother, Jeannine Lake, who has been by her daughter’s side since shortly after she was transferred to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center from a hospital in Germany.

Helaina has been able to get out to visit with other members of her crew in the hospital who were injured in the same bombing, Bernal Lake said.

Family and friends have been holding fundraisers to help family members to be at her side and pay for necessary expenses. Another set of fundraisers are scheduled on Saturday, Aug. 25.

A spaghetti supper will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the AMVETS Hall on Route 4/Main Street in Jay. There will be a shuttle service from the Knights of Columbus Hall on Route 4 in Jay to take people back and forth to the benefit as the parking is limited at the AMVETS Hall. A silent auction, raffle and a 50/50 drawing will also be held.

Donations may be sent anytime to the Otis Division Credit Union, P.O. Box 27, Jay, ME 04239 in care of the Wounded Helaina Fund. There will be many prizes for the silent auction including a $1,700 stove, a signed book by Stephen King, a signed NASCAR hat and other sports memorabilia.

Another fundraiser, a Chinese auction will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Route 4 in Jay.

Bernal Lake has been able to talk and see his daughter using an Apple iPad at the family’s home in Livermore Falls. He is home taking care of the family farm and their animals.

“It was neat,” Lake said. “I am getting to see her. It’s been tough and discouraging not to see her but when I see her on the screen, it is uplifting. It’s reassuring things are getting better.”

He doesn’t anticipate Helaina to be home any time soon due to recovery and the bone grafts, which is extensive surgery in itself, he said.

“It is our hope and dream” that Helaina will be able to come home to Livermore Falls when she is ready and finish rehabilitation at a hospital in this area, Lake said.

Grandson Aden is enjoying his visit with his mother and has been after his grandmother to let him take care of his mother, he said.

“My mom and sister will still be in D.C.,” while the benefit is going on, Helaina’s sister, Kathrynn Lake said.

“But they appreciate this just as much as the rest of my family here in Maine do,” she said. “The things everyone has done for us is unfathomable. … I feel the same way about our community as I did two months ago when this happened. I still cannot find the words to thank everyone or even describe how this has forever changed my family. We never could have done this without them.”

dperry@sunjournal.com

Fundraiser

WHAT: Benefit supper, silent auction for wounded Sgt. Helaina Lake

WHEN: 4:30 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25

WHERE: AMVETS Hall, Route 4, Jay

ADMISSION: $8 adult, $5 for children under 12

Second fundraiser

WHAT: Chinese auction to benefit Sgt. Helaina Lake

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25

WHERE: Knights of Columbus Hall, Route 4, Jay