Olivia McCrery was a typical 10-year-old girl.

The Hambright Elementary School fifth-grader loved singing and dancing, often pretending she was superstar Hannah Montana.

She adored "High School Musical" and loved to participate in soccer and cheerleading.

"She was right there on that brink; not a little girl, but not yet a big girl," said Stephanie McCrery, Olivia's mother.

Olivia had a passion for art, especially drawing and painting, and even took a class at the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design.

"She would tell everyone that she would be an artist when she grew up," her mother said.

But Olivia never had a chance to become a professional artist. Instead, her life ended prematurely because of complications from the influenza B virus.

Her parents, Todd and Stephanie, and 15-year-old sister, Samantha, stayed by her side as she lay in a coma-like state for two weeks, but she never regained consciousness before she died March 9.

"Our family is broken," Stephanie McCrery said. "I hope that somehow we'll be able to mend and find a new normal. We miss her so terribly."

In the wake of their loss, she said, support from their Penn Manor community has been "incredible."

The family received more than 500 sympathy cards, many from people they have never met.

"We've been overwhelmed. … The outpouring of support and generosity in every way, shape and form has helped," McCrery said. "One little girl touched so many lives. That's amazing to me."

Despite the strong emotional support, the family's medical and utility bills have mounted. Even with insurance "paying for most" of the nearly $1 million in medical bills, the family is still feeling financial pressure.

Hearing of the tragedy, Cathi Geesey, a longtime friend of Todd McCrery's, felt a pull to help.

"(Todd) was there for me when my sister died, and I wanted to be there for him," Geesey said.

To help, Geesey, the activities director at personal care home Brereton Manor, put together an arts and crafts carnival fundraiser. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Brereton Manor, 3028 Anchor Road, Washington Boro.

"It started out as just a festival to help support senior citizens. A week or so into it, I heard about the death," Geesey said. "The minute I heard, my brain immediately switched over."

To Geesey and her boss, Brereton Manor owner Bill Boyd, the idea was a no-brainer.

"When she asked if we could do something, I didn't hesitate," Boyd said. "I just think that anything you can do for someone is better than doing nothing."

Geared to the whole family, the combination carnival and arts and crafts auction will feature children's activities such as pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting and games.

In honor of Olivia's love of art, several local artists — including emerging painter Aly Boyd and 15-year glassblower Jason Ryner — have donated pieces of their work to be sold. Jewelry, wreaths, baskets and wooden trays also will be sold.

Ryner — also Olivia's cousin — even created a special piece in her memory.

"He calls the piece 'Olivia,' " Stephanie McCrery said. "It looks like a perfume bottle and stands maybe seven inches tall. It's dark blue to symbolize how we're feeling. … It's gorgeous."

The piece was going to be sold at the festival, but one of Stephanie McCrery's friends bought it ahead of time and gave it back to the family.

Geesey and Boyd also contacted several local business owners for food and monetary donations.

"Everyone was very helpful," Boyd said. "The need became more and more apparent. The more we did, the more people got involved."

Several food items, including hamburgers, hot dogs, baked goods and Turkey Hill drinks will be sold to benefit the McCrery family.

Volunteers from the community, including students from Penn Manor's Eshleman and Hambright elementary schools, the middle school and high school, have been cleaning the facilities and will work stands at the fundraiser.

"People have been coming out in full force to help," Geesey said. "It's unbelievable, the amount of support I've gotten from the community at large."

Jars placed at different businesses for contributions already have raised "a couple hundred dollars," Boyd said.

While the festival has required a huge sacrifice of time and energy from Geesey, she doesn't regret the effort.

"I'd do it all over again," she said.

E-mail: stephweaver@lnpnews.com