BUCKTOWN — Friends of Sarah Mallory, a hard-working Bucktown woman who suffered injuries in a hit-and-run crash while riding a scooter home from her second job, have crowd-sourced more than $7,100 to help lessen the costly burden of her recovery.
"Sarah is incredibly kind, gentle and giving and would do whatever was necessary and in her power to help anyone in her life, whether that be human, canine or feline," says the "Support Sarah" GoFundMe campaign.
Mallory, who works as a front desk assistant at Family Pet Animal Hospital, 1401 W. Webster Ave., and as a bartender at Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., was headed to her home in Bucktown after wrapping up her shift at Martyrs last Tuesday, her friends said.
Around 12:26 a.m. on Sept. 21, Mallory was in the 3100 block of North Damen Avenue headed south when she was struck by "an unknown gray Honda vehicle," according to Officer Ana Pacheco, a Chicago Police spokeswoman.
The striking vehicle fled the scene and Mallory was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital, Pacheco said.
Chicago Police have no further information on the crash.
Though Mallory was wearing a helmet, she sustained three vertebral fractures and underwent surgery last week on her cervical (neck) vertebrae, according to "Support Sarah" GoFundMe campaign organizer Emily Goldrick, whose husband, a veterinarian, works with Mallory at Family Pet Hospital.
Mallory, who is recovering at her parents' home Downstate, was not available for comment.
Mallory's boyfriend Greg Rothman said, "Sarah is overwhelmed and so thankful for everyone's generosity, love and support as she recovers."
Within the past four days, some 111 supporters have raised $7,144 toward a $10,000 goal.
"From what I've heard. she will be out of work for three to four months and in physical therapy for six to nine months — back brace and all," Goldrick said.
Goldrick described Mallory as "one of those rare people that takes the time to ask how you are and truly means it."
After having been a victim of a hit-and-run in the past, Goldrick said she felt moved to help Sarah.
Goldrick's husband, Ken, said Mallory is a pet owner herself and she has "the ability to emphasize and help pet owners regardless of illness or circumstances."
"She's a valuable member of the Family Pet Animal Hospital team and we wouldn't be nearly as strong or successful without her on our team," Ken Goldrick said.
For updates or to contribute, visit the "Support Sarah" GoFundMe campaign.
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