Gwinnett Daily Post

SNELLVILLE — Andy Copeland thinks the world of Snellville.

Following Monday night’s city council meeting, where he accepted a $19,000 donation toward his daughter’s recovery, he spoke about the kindness that he’s seen in a community resolved to assist 24-year-old Aimee Copeland in her battle with a flesh-eating bacteria.

“The support has been awesome,” Copeland said. “It goes to show you that people have big hearts, and it’s a sign that we have a community that believes in pulling together and helping one another out.”

Added Copeland: “It’s heartwarming to know that we live in times where people do reach out to each other like this with overwhelming love and concern.”

Fighting back tears, Copeland accepted the donation — the product of a community fundraising effort called Aimee’s Weekend.

“I thank you all from the bottom of my heart,” said Andy Copeland, the Snellville woman’s father. “I know that Aimee appreciates it too.”

On July 2, Aimee Copeland was released from Doctor’s Hospital in Augusta and moved to an inpatient rehabilitation clinic. Officials said she will spend the next several weeks learning to move herself with the aid of a wheelchair after having her left leg, right foot and both hands amputated.

The graduate student at the University of West Georgia contracted the rare infection after she suffered a deep cut falling from a broken zip-line May 1.

Aimee’s Weekend was held last month, an event that featured a series of free outdoor concerts and other activities to benefit the South Gwinnett High School graduate.

Copeland said the event was “a blessing.”

“We want to give something back one day,” Copeland said. “I’m hoping we’ll have that opportunity soon, because I believe we have a big responsibility to do so.”