Support Continues for Injured Quaid Mobus on His 22nd Birthday

As he celebrated his 22nd birthday on Halloween, Warren resident Quaid Mobus continued to progress in rehab after an ATV accident in September that left him with a serious spinal injury, while community members continued to plan fundraisers and other ways to show support for Mobus and his family.

This week, Mobus is free of all support machines and is breathing 100 percent on his own, having worked his way off a breathing ventilator, said Carrie Isler of Warren, a family friend and "prayer warrior."

Mobus continues to "give his all" in physical and speech therapy and other rehabilitation, she said. "His spirits are so bright and positive," Isler said.

Mobus, a 2010 graduate of Watchung Hills Regional High School, had had his life change dramatically since he was in an all-terrain vehicle accident in Pennsylvania on Sept. 20. 

Since then, the local community, led by parents Cindy and George Mobus of Warren Township, have been doing everything they could to help him in his recovery, even while preparing their home for Quaid to return.

Mobus was four wheeling the day on before his sister's wedding in the back country of Pennsylvania when he lost control of his vehicle. He initially was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, according to information from the family and a family friend.

He then moved to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in South Orange, according to Isler and an update on a Facebook page set up to Support Quaid Mobus.

The Mobus family has deep roots in the community going back several decades and a legacy of kindness and service to the town with many family members working at local establishments, Isler said.

The family has former and currently active members in the local volunteer Warren Township Fire Department. Led by Karen Manner, a group meeting at the Washington Valley Firehouse last week came up with fundraising ideas to help the Mobus family with expenses related to the immediate and ongoing care of their son.

The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Washington Valley firehouse. All are welcome.

What's planned now, next meeting in November

Isler said that fundraising efforts already in the planning stages include:

— An Indigogo fund for online donations, which so far has collected more than $24,000.00, is very much appreciated by the family.For more information see http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-quaid-mobus

— Mike Dalton spoke on behalf of Washington Valley Firehouse, which will donate proceeds from their “Spin n Win” proceeds to the Quaid Mobus Fund. “Spin n Win” is a fun annual event to which the entire town is always invited. Tickets or tokens are purchased at the door and the fun begins by spinning boardwalk-style wheels to win Thanksgiving themed items; such as turkeys, hams, baskets of baked goods or vegetables and more. 

This year's "Spin n Win" is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday Nov 22, 2013 from 7pm - 9pm. Supporters are asked to spread the word about the event to benefit Mobus.

— “3 Stones” Bluegrass Band, originals and covers, are scheduled play at the Watching Arts Center, 18 Stirling Rd. in Watchung, on the circle, at 8 p.m. on November. 

Proceeds from that evening are due to also go to the Quaid Mobus Fund. Tickets are $16 in advance and $20 at the door. Online tickets are at http://watchungartscenter.eventbrite.com/. For more information, call the Arts Center at 908-753-0190..

— Kim Girgus is coordinating a motorcycle run with The Low Riders, set for April 26. Registration will be at Washington Valley Firehouse followed by a family style picnic at the Elks Club. Music, kid-friendly activities, food and beverages are requested by donation. $20 tickets will be sold for this event. To volunteer for this event or for more information, please contact Kim at: girgusk@gmail.com.

Additional volunteers needed

Other "great and creative fundraising ideas" were put forward at the meeting, Isler said. "They are all terrific ideas but they take a lot of elbow grease, so we really need you!" She said that supporters hope that at the Nov. 21 meeting the organizers will know, based on volunteer commitments and other factors, which of the following ideas are a “go”, or a “no," or a “let’s re-visit this idea next year," she said.

Supporters are asked to read the ideas and contact the person whose name and email is listed with to commit as a volunter for a particular event.

1. Dean’s Natural Markets, with three stores, including one in Basking Ridge, had the idea of putting together a benefit concert, possibly at The Forest Lodge in Warren, Harry Dunham Park in Basking Ridge or at Watchung Hills Regional High School, Isler said. 

A spring time frame with several bands was discussed. As other ideas circulated, it was suggested a few events could be folded into this one, making it a “carnival and concert” or “picnic and concert” with events for children as well, such as face painting that might include craft fair, which also was presented as a separate idea. It would take a lot of volunteers to make it happen with proceeds being donated. If interested in helping please contact Erin Strickland at erin@deansnaturalfoodmarket.com.

2. QUAID MOBUS Day in Warren was another suggestion. The group discussed contacting local businesses and restaurants requesting a donation of a portion of their proceeds from that day and their business would be advertised as a participating store. For examples, restaurants might pick a favorite entree, sandwich, or dessert, or “flavor of the day” to promote and donate proceeds from that particular item to the fund. As an example, currently there is a restaurant that has named a dessert in honor of Quaid and is donating profits from the sale. Volunteers are needed to coordinate such an event, which as yet has no contact person. 

3. Another idea was to solicit donations from concession stands at local sporting events in exchange for volunteers manning the booths. Possible venues: Snack shacks at Warren’s fields, Patriots hot dog stand, or the RAC. Volunteers needed, but there is no contact person yet.

4. Diana Lentzsch was not able to attend the meeting but she spoke to the trainers at her gym about doing a run/walk fundraiser. A suggestion was made to offer it to all the gyms in Warren and coordinate the event as one multi-gym run/walk, with perhaps a few laps around Watchung Lake or the WHRHS track or a 5K run/walk. Please contact Diana Lentzsch at: djlentzsch@gmail.com if interested in helping.

5. Evelyn Mazzeo has done some research on conducting a car raffle. "It’s a great form of fundraising and since we have some community members who own dealerships, we thought they might be able to help us with this event," Isler said. Those who own a dealership or want to help with this project should contact Evelyn Mazzeo at: emazz70@aol.com

6. A Boy Scouts or youth group car wash at the Washington Valley Fire House is being discussed.

7. A comedy show at a location in Warren Township also is on the table. 

Those with questions or comments, or who want to be on the email list should contact Karen Manner at: curveball@aol.com or 732-208-3760.

"Thank you to the community for coming together to help," Isler said. "Sadly, Quaid is not the first young person in our community to be tragically injured and he will unfortunately not be the last. The power of social media and the WTCF has raised awareness of this situation and will continue to be a vehicle for promoting good will and the spirit of community!" she said.