When 10-year-old Christopher Bradley saw the Aug. 4 article in the Levittown Tribune about Tia Mabanta, an 18-year-old Levittown girl who was seriously injured in a car accident, he wanted to help out.

Christopher decided to host a lemonade stand in an effort to raise money for the Mabanta family.

"I wanted to raise money for her because I felt bad for her and her family," Bradley said.

After discussing different ways of how they could raise money, Christopher's mother, Janine, suggested a lemonade stand. For five days he manned a lemonade stand in front of his family's Blue Spruce Road home. Armed with his pitchers of cool lemonade, signs notifying potential customers and a copy of the Tribune article, Christopher began with a goal of $100.

"Then when he made over $100, he said, 'OK, my goal is $200,'" his mother Janine Bradley said. "Every day he was out there and even his friends chipped in to help him. Every motorist, bicyclist, walker or friend who passed bought lemonade, and even some gave extra."

Due to his selfless efforts and the generosity of his community, Christopher raised $236, which he later sent to the Tia Mabanta Relief Fund.

"They were really happy and her aunt wrote me a thank you note," he said. "It made me feel really good."

Elaine Brill, Mabanta's aunt, saw the money from Christopher and it brought her and her family to tears.

"He is a wonderful little boy whose mom and dad should be very proud of him and we can't thank him enough for his generosity. I can't even imagine how many glasses of lemonade were sold to reach that goal."

Mabanta, a 2005 graduate of Island Trees High School, was seriously injured after the car she was a passenger in struck a utility pole at Red Maple Drive West on June 24. Brill said she has undergone several surgeries at Nassau University Medical Center.

"Tia is now out at St. Charles Hospital for physical therapy until Sept. 6 when she will be brought back to NUMC for a CAT scan and re-evaluation by her neurosurgeon," Brill explained. "She is still in a coma and we are praying for her recovery everyday."

Unfortunately, the family does not have health coverage and is experiencing financial strain due to the mounting medical bills. Brill set up the Tia Mabanta Relief Fund in an effort to offset some of these costs.

"The support so far has been unbelievable," Brill said. "Every day we are receiving hundreds of dollars."

To help the Mabanta family during this time of need, Tia's extended family has arranged for a second fundraiser on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Governors Comedy Club, located at 90 Division Ave. in Levittown. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance and can be obtained by calling Elaine at 565-2469. Donations are also still being accepted and may be sent to the Tia Mabanta Relief Fund, c/o Astoria Federal Savings Bank, 3105 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown, NY 11756.