The benefit for “MEGnificent” Megan Erie, to be held Saturday at the Austin Eagles Club, will work to off-set medical costs stemming from the 18-year-old’s recovery from a devastating car crash in May.

But, as tough as these months have been, there is also a huge dose of celebration that will come with the event that begins at 4 p.m.

Megan’s better-than-expected recovery and the support of family, friends and the community make a great recipe for a great party.

“She has broken all the odds from her original prognosis,” said her mom, Anna, on Wednesday. “We weren’t sure she would ever come home. But she is doing really, really well.”

Megan came home on July 31.

“It was indescribable,” Anna said. “Physically her hurdles are small,” she added. “Cognition is where we are looking for continued growth. She still has a long road ahead but overall, we feel blessed by her progression, far better than we ever hoped for.”

It was a brutal two-car crash which happened May 14 in Lansing Township.

Megan was a passenger in a car.

The car and a pickup collided in a rural intersection. Unlike the others, Megan received life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Saint Marys. She had severe neck injuries, brain swelling, a fractured skull, broken ribs and a lacerated spleen, which required surgery. She was in a coma for a time.

“Seventy-nine days we were in the hospital,” Anna said.

Today, Megan has therapy three days a week at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys Campus in Rochester.

Megan’s energy can be taxed quickly and cognition challenges may prevent Megan from being able to greet a person by name, even though she may know it. On Saturday, for instance, it would help if friends who greet Megan tell her their name. A hug and a few words of greeting are more than welcome, Anna said. Extended exchanges may be too much for her to handle at this time.

Anna said she and her family are thankful for all the support the family has received – “and I cannot say enough about the staff” at Saint Marys. “We are so thankful.”

Megan’s support network is strong and includes her dad, Chad, sister Maty, 22, brother Jayden, 20, two half-sisters, Macey Pyburn, 2, Maria Pyburn, 4 months and “a wonderful set of cousins, aunts,uncles, and grandparents,” she said.

The benefit on Saturday includes a silent auction and bake sale from 4-7:30 p.m., a free will donation meal of pulled pork sandwiches, salad, chips and cookies, served from 4-8 p.m. Megan’s cousin, Cyle, one of the organizers, said local businesses have also been generous in donating items, and Twins and Austin Bruin tickets will also be available for bidding. Mall of America attraction tickets, gift baskets and other items will also be on hand.

An exciting highlight will be the music provided by Ian Hilmer and The Void from 8-11 p.m. Cyle said the performance will be fashioned as a 25th anniversary concert for the band.

“It’s going to be a great event,” he said.

He added that a bean bag tournament, starting at 4 p.m., will have a 50 percent payout to the winners. The entry fee is $40.