Fundraiser for Arlington Heights soldier a success

More than 500 people attended a fundraiser last week for an injured Arlington Heights soldier who is fighting to learn to walk again.

Sgt. Daniel Tsutsumi, 27, served two tours of duty in Iraq and came home safely only to become paralyzed in a freak accident while swimming at a Chicago beach last summer.

After months in the hospital, Tsutsumi is now living at home, sleeping on a couch in the living room and going to physical therapy to try to regain function of his arms and legs.

A fundraiser held for Tsutsumi on Nov. 16 at Durty Nellie’s in Palatine was a huge success said Daniel’s mom Barbara.

She said 519 people attended the evening that included food, entertainment and a silent auction. Construction will begin soon using all the money raised to help renovate the Tsutsumi’s Arlington Heights home and make it wheelchair accessible for Dan.

“It was an amazing evening; we were truly lifted up by communities of friends,” she wrote in an email.