Local

Atlanta woman, family help honor Boston bombing victim

ATLANTA — An Atlanta woman and her family have stepped up to help honor one of the victims of the Boston marathon bombing.

Michelle Renard told Channel 2 Action News her brother, Jacob Bruce, is a player with the Holyoke Blue Sox in Holyoke, Mass.

The team held a "Boston Strong" night earlier this month, but Boston Bombing victim Marc Fucarile was unable to attend because he was still recovering from his injuries.

Fucarile lost his right leg above the knee, broke his spine, as well as bones in his left leg and foot, ruptured both eardrums and suffered severe burns and shrapnel wounds when the second of two bombs exploded near him and a group of friends who were at the finish line to watch another friend complete the run. Two other people in his group also lost right legs.

Bruce called on his sister and her husband Paul, who makes custom wood baseball bats, to make a special tribute bat in Fucarile's honor.

The Renards then sent the bat back to Bruce, who got the entire Holyoke Blue Sox team to sign the bat for Fucarile.

Renard said they then contacted the Marc Fucarile Road to Recovery Facebook page to see if they could present Fucarile with the bat.

Fucarile's brother, Eddie, got back to them and arranged the whole thing.

Renard told Channel 2 Action News it was an experience she will never forget.

"Marc is so positive, upbeat and has the best sense of humor. He truly is strong. We just wanted him to know that even strangers from GA are thinking of and praying for him," Renard said.

Renard, her brother Jacob, and husband Paul presented Marc with the bat July 19 in his hospital room.

Fucarile has since been released from the hospital. Initially he was unable to bathe, dress himself, walk or even transfer himself to a wheelchair when he arrived at the rehabilitation hospital. He is now able to do that, including walking on crutches.

To read more about Fucarile's recovery, click here.