A Kunkletown family grieving the recent loss of their premature baby daughter is also struggling under the weight of hospital bills.

Hailey Marie Serfass was born three months early at only 1 pound, 12 ounces on May 29, according to her maternal grandmother Clara Reuther.

She was cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 56 days before being sent home at 4½ pounds on July 24.

Three days later, the baby girl unexpectedly passed away, Reuther said. The family still doesn’t know why and is waiting for answers.

The first hospital bill they are facing is for $19,000, and other bills still remain to be negotiated, Reuther said.

“There’s no way my daughter and son-in-law have that kind of money to pay right now,” she said. “I mean they’d have to pay payments and then the collection agency would take over.”

The community is coming together to do what they can for the family.

Reuther is working with her three sisters and her daughter’s co-workers at the Palmerton Rite-Aid to organize a tricky tray memorial benefit. All funds will go toward Hailey’s final arrangements and medical expenses.

The tricky tray will be held at the Aquashicola Fire Company in Palmerton at 10 a.m. Nov. 3, with baskets to be drawn at 1 p.m.

The admission price includes a sheet of tickets. Additional sheets are available for purchase. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

To donate basket items or gift cards, please contact Reuther at 610-681-7465.

Items can be dropped off at her house at 9540 Interchange Road in Lehighton.

The deadline for donations has been moved up to Oct. 20 or 21 from an original deadline of Oct. 27.

As of mid-September, the community has donated over 30 gift cards and items for 145 baskets. Reuther hopes to reach over 300 baskets and gift cards in total.

Reuther hopes the benefit will raise close to $10,000 for the family.