CLEVELAND, Ohio - Saucy Brew Works is raising money for an employee who was seriously injured in a car accident this month.
The 17-year-old worker, Kyla, is recovering after spending four days in intensive care and then a trauma unit for three days, the brewery said. On Oct. 1, she suffered a compound fracture to her femur, a cut artery, internal lacerations, a broken knee cap, pelvis and ribs, along with fractures in her arms, back and neck. She was released this week for out-patient therapy.
So for a week - Nov. 9-16 - the brewery will donate the net proceeds from sales of its Red Gummy Bear for Kyla's bills. With a production of 16.5 gross barrels, the folks at the brewery anticipate more than $20,000 from 4,000-plus beers sold.
The beer - a Blonde Ale at 5.2% alcohol - is brewed with cherry, peach, pineapple and soursop fruit.
Saucy Brew Works is planning to set up a not-for-profit in Kyla's name.
"They consider her pretty lucky for living," said Brent Zimmerman, the brewery's co-founder and chief executive officer. "She did make it through, she's in good spirits. She wants to come back to work."
Kyla worked in the kitchen, he said, adding that with only 43 people on the payroll "you kind of know everybody."
"We've had a huge outcrop of support and help," he said. "The good thing is she's alive."
Saucy is at 2885 Detroit Ave., Cleveland.