The Hope community is rallying together to help one of their own after he was injured in an accident last Friday (April 12) near the Lake of the Woods.
Coun. Dusty Smith, and Hope local Kenzie St. Dennis, are putting together a car show fundraiser for Gage Turner, a 19-year-old man from Hope who is currently at the Royal Columbian Hospital for serious injuries.
Organized by St. Dennis, a friend of the Turner family who has also been acting on their behalf, the Fundraiser For Turner Family Car Show will be taking place on Thursday (April 18), at 6 p.m., at the Silver Skagit Mechanical parking lot.
The event is cash only and all proceeds will go towards the long-term care of Turner’s injuries. A donation entry of $5 is required to enter the show, and those wishing to enter their vehicles will need to pay a car entry fee of $30. Additional donations can also be made on site, and attendees will be able to enjoy hotdogs, pop, and the chance to enter a raffle.
“The outpouring of love and kindness is unbelievable,” said Todd Turner, Gage’s father. “From the town, friends, family, people we don’t know, I can’t even wrap my head around it. It’s mind-blowing. I’m speechless and thankful.”
According to BC Highway Patrol, Gage was riding his motorcycle when he ended up hitting the rear of a sedan, at around 4:10 p.m. During this time, the driver of the sedan, a 30-year-0ld woman from Surrey, remained on scene while Highway Patrol temporarily closed Highway 1 around that area to investigate. The investigation is still ongoing .
Due to the severity of his injuries, Gage was airlifted and is currently in the ICU, on life support, at the Royal Columbian Hospital. He is facing at least five surgeries, according to Todd, and has a long road to recovery.
Gage, according to many Hope locals, is known in the community as a wonderful, kind, and caring young man. The oldest of three children, he currently works as a fleet manager for Shxw’ōwhámél Ventures and is an active member of the community; in addition to being a former Hope Cadet, he also worked as part of the Hope Brigade Days committee, with his best friend Colten Preston, to bring in the Dirty Money Truck Show.
“Whenever I helped somebody, I wanted him (Gage) to understand not to attach an expectation to helping somebody,” Todd said. “And maybe at some point, maybe one day if you’re in need, someone’s gonna come around and they’ll give back to you right. Just keep putting positive energy out there and positive energy will come back to you.
“That’s what our kids have learned. And it blows my mind to know that the older employees, that he (Gage) has working under him, have contacted me and said Gage is absolutely amazing. And they (Shxw’ōwhámél Ventures) said, ‘Gage is absolutely amazing and we miss him’.”
While the fundraiser is taking place this Thursday, people can continue to support Gage’s healing journey by visiting the Gage Turner’s Healing Journey Facebook page. Donations can be made, instantly and directly, to cairithturner@gmail.com .
People can also donate to the Supporting the Turner family GoFundMe (at www.gofundme.com/f/5ax8t3-supporting-the-turner-family) organized by Jaiden Tsai, who is also one of Gage’s best friends. Currently, over $8,500 has been donated towards Gage and his family.
“We’ve taught Gage to always be the better man. And to always help people,” Todd said. “We’re taking it minute by minute, hour by hour. Gage is still on life support. He’s a strong boy. He’s very stubborn and he’s strong minded. And I know he’s going to pull through this.”
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@KemoneMoodley
kemone.moodley@hopestandard.com
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