On Oct. 27, Awful Arthur’s Seafood Co. in conjunction with Seacrist Motor Sports and Whatchaneed Productions will be hosting a ‘Truck or Treat’ event, which will be a free community event for kids and families in the Roanoke Valley. Ten percent of all sales that day will be donated to the family of Jackson Nelson who is suffering from a severe case of epilepsy.

Jackson Nelson is a 6-year-old currently living in Salem with his parents Doug and Stephanie Nelson. He has been suffering from a rare form of epilepsy since September 2010.  His condition causes him to have seizures on a daily basis. The ‘Truck or Treat’ fundraiser will help his family pay for the cost of his medical bills at Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital.  While he and his parents do have a medical care insurance policy, it does not cover his treatment at Johns Hopkins.  Additionally, they have tried to obtain financial aid from several organizations, but have been denied on all accounts to this point.

The necessary treatments for this rare condition will require Jackson to have extended stay at Johns Hopkins.  The extended treatments are required to properly diagnose his rare condition.  They will require constant surveillance to study the different types of seizures that Jackson has.  This is because there are many different types of seizures, and Jackson has been known to experience several different types as opposed to just one type.  Financial assistance will ensure that Jackson can receive the best possible medical care and hopefully allow him to enjoy his life as a typical child.

‘Truck or Treat’ will be held at Awful Arthur’s located at 1302 W. Main St., Salem. The event will feature live entertainment in the parking area in front of the restaurant. A moonwalk, DJ and plenty of candy will be provided for the ‘Truck or Treat’ guests. Food and beverages will also be served in this area. Seacrist Motor Sports Inc will be bringing several ‘BIG’ trucks, an RTI ramp, and will host a Corn Hole competition. Prizes will be given away for Best in Show, Best Dressed Truck, Cleanest Ride, People’s Choice as well as prizes for Halloween costumes. Also, a raffle for prizes will take place every 30 minutes.  The event will start at 1 p.m. and last until 8 p.m., followed by The WORX for adults only inside of Awful Arthur’s Seafood Co. in Salem.

Awful Arthur’s Seafood Co. is a local seafood restaurant that has been open since 1994 with two locations in the Roanoke Valley, 1302 W. Main St., Salem and Historic Market Square in Downtown Roanoke. Awful Arthur’s Seafood Co. serves a variety of food items including raw bar seafood, cooked to order entrees including seafood, chicken and steak dishes. They also have a full bar with live music on Thursday and Saturday nights, as well as a late-night menu.

Seacrist Motor Sports is a local, Christian-based company that incorporated in Salem in 2003 to provide a professional, honest and knowledgeable organization for Motor Sports enthusiasts in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. SMS specializes in Lifted Trucks & Jeeps, Diesel Performance, Turbo Chargers, Superchargers, Nitrous, Tire & Wheel Packages and much more.  Seacrist Motor Sports provides high quality workmanship, uncompromising integrity, honesty, and satisfaction.

Whatchaneed Productions, located at 1332 W. Main St., Salem, provides many services for the Roanoke Valley including sterile and state licensed tattoo work with more than 20 years of experience. In addition, they offer high-quality and custom silk screening for local businesses, churches and sports teams. Promoting 100% customer satisfaction in everything they do.  They can also cater to corporate and private functions including lighting, staging, backdrop and entertainment needs.

For more information, contact Tary Thacker at (540) 526-8414.

– Submitted by Laura Fassett