LAPLACE — A local boy is battling through a coma while those in the community gear up for a five-day-long lunch fundraiser benefiting the family next week.

Ryse Stollenwerck, 5, of LaPlace was playing Dec. 10 when he was struck in the chin, according to father Justin Stollenwerck.

“(The impact) twisted his neck, and it severed his carotid artery from his brain,” Stollenwerck said. “That caused bleeding to go up into his brain, which then caused him to have a stroke.”

Ryse was rushed by helicopter to University Medical Center New Orleans, where he underwent surgery.

Stollenwerck said doctors operated on his son’s head and removed the right flap of his brain to decrease the swelling and stop the bleeding.

“They cauterized the artery, and by that point, he was in critical condition,” Stollenwerck said.

Once he was a little more stable, Ryse was moved to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, where he now spends his days in a coma and on a ventilator.

“Right now, he is stable but has not woken up yet,” Stollenwerck said Monday morning. “There is still swelling in his brain that might take a little while to come down. He has a substantial amount of brain damage. Right now, we’re kind of waiting to see if he wakes up.”

Stollenwerck des-cribed Ryse, who is autistic, as a very outgoing child.

“He is very loving,” Stollenwerck said, fighting back tears. “He loves to play. He is really into Disney movies. He has a very big heart and is just a great kid all around. He is loved by a lot of the people around here because he is just a sweetheart.”

The community love is evident in a volunteer-led effort that hopes to get all of St. John the Baptist Parish involved next week through a lunch fundraiser. Plate lunches are being sold for $8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Jan. 8.

A different meal is planned each day, and the menu is as follows:

• Monday: Red beans and sausage, corn bread, salad and dessert

• Tuesday: Baked chicken, dirty rice, salad and dessert

• Jan. 6: Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and dessert

• Jan. 7: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and dessert

• Jan. 8: Crawfish pasta, garlic bread, salad and dessert

Those interested in buying a meal, donating or volunteering, can call 504-235-4064.

Deliveries are being offered in LaPlace, Reserve and Garyville for orders of eight or more, according to organizer and family friend Heather Cruse.

“People will be able to pick up food, and we’ll have deliveries,” Cruse said. “I’m still working on the location for pick ups. I’m in the process of trying to obtain a location other than my house, because I hope this will be successful.”

According to Cruse, all money raised goes to Ryse and his family.

“I don’t have a goal of how much we want to raise,” Cruse said. “I just want this to be as successful as possible and help them as much as I can.”

Stollenwerck who said he has lived in LaPlace for two years, is grateful for the community’s support.

“Everybody here is really great; it’s a great community,” he said. “I appreciate this, and I’m sure Ryse would appreciate everything they are doing also.”

One of the volunteers is Theresa Dunn, who lives down the street from Ryse and his father.

“This just breaks my heart,” Dunn said. “Ryse is a very energetic, fun-loving, beautiful little boy.”

Dunn, who enjoys participating in charities and is a friend of the family, said she and others just want to help raise money for Ryse.

“People ask me all the time ‘why do you do these things?’” she said. “I do it because it needs to be done. Somebody needs to help.”