CHARLEVOIX — The Charlevoix community is creating ways to show their support for the high school golf team, as they recover from a crash in Benzie County.
On April 27, police say an SUV driven by a 32-year-old Leelanau County man was traveling westbound on M-115 when he crashed head-on into the van carrying the Charlevoix golf team while being chased by police.
Seven team members and their coach, who was the van’s driver, were taken to the hospital with injuries. The driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene.
Some students from the Charlevoix High School golf team are now out of the hospital, while others are still recovering at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
The Charlevoix Emmet Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Koziol said everyone is hoping to show their support.
“It’s just another example of how well our local districts work together and how we’re really about all the kids now,” Kozoil said. “Starting with today, both within the schools as well as within the community. So, it’s just been a nice transition out of the tragic. I mean, we’re still dealing with it, obviously, but it’s nice to be looking forward a little bit as we’re seeing some positive signs, hopefully for some of the people that were involved.”
Koziol is spreading the word for people to participate in ‘Rayder Strong Day.’ Everyone is encouraged to wear maroon. Whether it be a shirt, ribbons or poster, they are encouraged to post on social media with the hashtag RayderStrong.
“But we’re really going to capitalize on this across, I know many ways and show kids what this is all about,” Koziol said. “What social media can be all about and how positively it can have an impact.”
The Castle Farms wedding venue is also lending its support. They are planning a silent auction set for 4-6 p.m. May 13, with all proceeds being donated to the golf team and their families. They will also have food, drinks and dessert donated by local businesses.
“Our huge focus right now is community involvement and giving back,” said Jessica Anderson, Castle Farms’ Director of Guest Experiences. “This was one way that our team felt that we could immediately jump on board. Use some of our resources to kind of help pull some of the community members together to host this event and help out their families.”
When tragedy strikes, both Anderson and Koziol are reminded of the importance of being in a tight-knit community.
“This is just another example of how much the youth mean to the community is up here,” Koziol said. “It’s really what drives the community.”
“Any time kids are affected in our community, it’s always so much more powerful than any other tragedy,” Anderson said. “We’ve just come through an ice storm where the entire community banded together, and now we have this tragedy.”
The Charlevoix County Junior Golf League has started a GoFundMe for the Charlevoix High School Golf Team.
To donate, click here.