MELANIE COYLE, pictured with five of her six children during the recovery process. She’s the primary provider for the family. Courtesy photo

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LAYTON — A day of fun at a park can help a local family in need. 

“Miles for Melanie,” set for Sept. 15 from 7 a.m. to noon at Chelsie Park in Layton, is a community fundraiser designed to help Melanie Coyle, who is healing from a traumatic brain injury. 

The event, which will include a 5K run/walk, silent auction, carnival games and other activities, will help ease some expenses for the woman who is the sole provider for her six children.

“She can’t work or drive for a year while her brain heals,” said Ruth Bailey, one of the women organizing the event. “With zero income and six kids, she’s kind of in dire need right now.” 

Registration for the 5K run/walk starts at 7 a.m. at Chelsie Park (1401 N. 2575 West). Pre-registration costs $20 per family and $10 per individual, with forms available at Lady Fitness in Layton (1916 W., 700 North). 

Pre-registration is due Sept. 14, with both individual and family costs going up by $5 for on-site registration the day of the race. 

The silent auction will be held from 9-11 a.m., with prizes including family photography sessions, hair decor, jewelry organizers, personal training sessions, a Mary Kay gift basket, a Bath and Body Works gift basket and more. 

The carnival also begins at the park at 9 a.m., with the bake sale beginning just across the street.

 There will also be live music, food such as popcorn and sno cones, a craft sale, yard sale and a bike safety rodeo.

“We’re excited,” said Bailey. “We hope everyone will come out to support a wonderful woman and loving mother.” 

The event is the combined effort of several of Coyle’s neighbors and Lady Fitness members, the fitness center where Coyle worked before the accident. 

She received her injury while participating in the Little Red Riding Hood bicycling event held in Lewiston earlier this year. 

“She’d stopped to get something out of her eye, so she was riding pretty quick to catch up to everyone else,” said Monica Weaver, another event organizer. 

“The women in front of her swerved to avoid a dead bird, and her back tire clipped Mel’s front one.”

Though Coyle was wearing a helmet, she went down hard enough to receive a severe head injury. 

“A third of her brain was filled with blood,” said Weaver. 

After weeks of rehabilitation, Coyle is now recovering. She’s well enough to be there for her children, but both driving and work are currently off the table. 

“It over stimulates her brain and makes her hurt,” said Weaver. “The fundraiser just kind of came about as a way we could all help.” 

For more information, a copy of the race registration form and a complete list of silent auction prizes, visit facebook.com/MilesForMelanie.