Float Pub & Grill Rallying To Help Customer's Son Injured In Motorcycle Crash

The Float Pub & Grill will come together Saturday to help a longtime customer whose son is struggling for his life following a horrific motorcycle crash.

The popular neighborhood spot near Purdy is holding a fundraiser called S.O.S. to benefit the family of a Ricky Russell, a 16-year-old from Gig Harbor who was severely injured in a motocross crash last month and is trying to recover at Harborview Medical Center.

His father, Rick Russell, is a regular at The Float, says Kelli Sattler, The Float's day manager. Their insurance isn't covering all of his son's medical costs, "so we're just trying to do the best thing we can for him."

She didn't have a lot of details about the crash, only that it was during a motocross event recently and required Ricky Russell to be airlifted to Harborview from Eastern Washington.

Sattler added that Russell underwent surgery on his trachea Tuesday.

On his Facebook page, Russell described his passion: "I am 16 years old. I began racing motocross in 2011, but I have been riding a dirt bike since I was 5 years old. I race the C classes on my 2013 YZ250F."

He also seems to be popular in the local motocross scene. One group, Castle Rock MX, is holding fundraiser Friday to "benefit Ricky Russell during his recovery."

As for the fundraiser at The Float, the restaurant will be holding a raffle Saturday - the items for which were donated from local businesses and residents, Sattler said.

There will also be music from Northwest Chill.

The message for the event: The Float has always been about fun and family - and never more so now.

If you plan on attending, here are the details:

• WHAT: S.O.S. fundraiser to benefit Ricky Russell
• WHEN: 5 p.m. to close, Aug. 10
• WHERE: The Float Pub & Grill, 14511 Sherman Dr. NW
• WHAT ELSE: Music from Northwest Chill begins at 9 p.m.