NATCHEZ — Friends, family and community members are continuing fundraising efforts to help Nikki Worthey on her road to recovery.

Worthey was severely injured in a two-vehicle collision earlier this month that claimed the life of Tyler Brumfield, Worthey’s boyfriend and the driver of the vehicle Worthey was in.

Worthey was airlifted to Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, La., shortly after the wreck and has remained under treatment in the intensive care unit.

Family members posted an update on Worthey’s condition on Facebook Friday saying doctors said it will take one year for the swelling in her brain to go down. Worthey is on a waiting list to be transported to a large rehabilitation facility.

Trisha Lambert helped organize a bake sale fundraiser Friday for Worthey at Stine Lumber and said it was the least she could do to help Worthey and her family through the tragedy.

“I’ve known her since she was tiny, and they’re all just like family to me,” Lambert said. “It’s going to be a long road for Nikki and that’s why every little bit we can do to help her and her family is so important.”

A variety of baked goods ranging from loafs of bread to cupcakes were spread out across several tables, all of which included multiple pictures of Worthey — an Adams County Christian School graduate who played multiple sports and could cheer up anyone having a bad day.

The pictures, Lambert said, were displayed to keep Worthey in their prayers, but also for people who had never seen or met the 20-year-old.

“We’ve had people come up who know her, ask how she’s doing and want to help out anyway they can,” Lambert said. “But we’ve also had some people who don’t know her from Adam and have just been so generous.”

The giving and kind nature of the Miss-Lou residents was too much for Lambert at times.

“I’ve been brought to tears a couple of times,” Lambert said, wiping away tears. “It’s just been overwhelming to see.”

Lambert will host another bake sale April 4 and 5 at Community Chapel Church of God off Morgantown Road and said anyone wanting to donate baked goods can contact her through Facebook.

Natchez resident Meredith Faust also participated in the bake sale Friday, but brought nonedible items to the table.

Faust, who owns and operates Premier Designs Jewelry, is selling necklaces that include the Bible verse Matthew 17:20, which reads, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Faust is also selling silver cross necklaces in memory of Brumfield.

All proceeds of the sales will be split between Benefit of Nikki Worthey and the Central Mississippi Down Syndrome Society in Brumfield’s memory.

Faust said she didn’t know Worthey well, but knew Brumfield and felt called to give back anyway she could.

“God just put this on my heart,” Faust said. “If I’m going to give my time and will for them, they’re going to get everything.”

Orders for the necklaces can be placed by calling Faust at 601-446-3235.

Worthey’s uncle, Steve Hicks, created a fundraising page Wednesday on gofundme.com, a popular crowdfunding site used to raise money for personal donation campaigns or charity fundraising campaigns.

The page has managed to raise nearly $3,885 since being created, and Hicks said he hopes residents continue to donate anything they can to help cover hotel and hospital costs for Worthey’s family. The site lists a goal to raise $5,000.

Visit gofundme.com/nikki-worthey to make a donation.

A garage sale is being organized to benefit the families of Worthey and Brumfield April 5 during the annual Jefferson Street United Methodist Church community-wide sale.

Leigh McIlwain said residents interested in helping can call her at 601-334-5462 and arrange a place to pick up or drop off anything for the garage sale.

A bank account has also been setup at all Home Bank, formerly Britton & Koontz Bank, branches for Worthey.

Residents wanting to donate money can ask the teller to put their donations to the “April Nikki Worthey” special fund account.

Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop M Sgt. Rusty Boyd said the collision was still under investigation, but that he didn’t foresee any charges being filed in the wreck.