If you live in the Fort Mill area, you have no doubt read about 13-year-old Connor McKemey, who suffered third-degree burns over 85 percent of his body in an incident involving an outdoor fireplace at his home in Tega Cay. His mother, Karin, in her attempts to put out the fire, also suffered from burns to her hands and face.

Connor, a student and athlete at Gold Hill Middle School, was honored at a fundraiser held yesterday at Fort Mill High School. The funds raised at the event (organizers are hoping to raise at least $20,000) will go to pay for the various surgeries that will be necessary to repair the damage done by the burns. He faces as many as 30 or more surgeries this year. Connor is an avid lacrosse player, so organizers invited more than 500 players from across the Charlotte area came to Fort Mill to spend the day attending clinics, games and an auction.

Another fundraiser took place last week, organized primarily in Baxter Village but also taking place in other neighborhoods. Residents were given little plastic bags and asked to fill them with “Coins for Connor” which were then collected to add to the fund to help pay for the astronomical medical expenses that the McKemey family is facing.

Connor is continuing to receive medical treatment in Augusta, Georgia and is being kept in a medically-induced coma because the burns were so severe.