Etowah Teachers Rally for Woodstock Baby Battling Rare Disorder

Etowah High School students and staff are coming to the aid of one of their former teachers.

The school has planned a fundraiser, Spring into Action for Easton, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday May 2 at the school's campus. 

The event will have activities for children, a silent auction put together by students at Etowah, arts, live music and food. 

The fundraiser will benefit Easton Elrod, the infant son of Michael and Brianna Elrod of Woodstock who suffers from a rare congenital defect called Brittle Bone Disease. 

Brittle Bone Disease, whose formal name is Ontogenesis Imperfecta, is caused by a defect that hinders the body's production of collagen, thus causing extremely fragile bones that leads to fractures.

Baby Easton and his family have to take regular trips to a clinic in Nebraska that specializes in the treatment of the condition. 

Ashley Meeks, an Etowah English teacher, said the fundraiser idea came from students who wanted to help the Elrods in a more "meaningful" way, which propelled the English department to organize a fundraiser "that would not only help us raise money, but would also allow people to be involved and help Brianna."

Students and staff at the school have done everything for the family, from cooking meals, purchasing diapers for the children and volunteering to help with things such as yard work and grocery shopping.  

Meeks added she hopes to raise $5,000 for the family through selling tickets at the fundraiser, which will also have inflatables, a dunking booth, a cake walk, face painting, relay races, live musical performances and other activities.

While the festival is free, donations are encouraged to help the Elrods.

"Brianna and Michael are a hardworking couple that both give back to the community whenever possible," she added about the family. 

Mrs. Elrod had to turn in her resignation from her teaching position with the Cherokee County School District to care for her family, which also includes an older son named Owen. Her last day on the job she held for five years will be on May 31.

She added she's excited about the fundraiser. 

"I loved my job, and I knew this was inevitable, but making it official was hard," she added. 

The family has kept the public up-to-date with Easton's condition on the Easton's Angels Facebook page and a CaringBridge website. 

Elrod said she's grateful for the support the Woodstock and Towne Lake community has given her and her family. 

"It is still so humbling to see our community pouring all of this support out for us," she added. 

The Woodstock Public Safety foundation earlier this month held a motorcycle ride to benefit the Elrods. Michael Elrod is well-known among Woodstock and Cherokee County public safety officials.

He's been a contract work driver with Neese Towing for the last 12 years, and has handled towing for local law enforcement agencies in the area.

He's also provided complimentary vehicle towing for intoxicated residents who participates in the Woodstock Police Department's Operation Safe Ride initiative. 

Meeks added she hopes the community will turn out and support the family in their time of need. 

"They are a family that has been blessed with two small children and burdened with new concerns and expenses that can be overwhelming," she added. "With Easton’s arrival, they have had to change their lives to address his needs and concerns. As educators, we think that it is important to demonstrate how a community can support people in need."

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