Community to rally to help seriously injured local boy
By Kyra Hoggan
Three fundraisers are now scheduled to help the family of a local 11-year-old boy who was gravely injured in a skiing accident early this year.
“On Jan. 3 at Red Mountain, Cole Hoodicoff, (a Grade 6 student at Twin Rivers) was skiing with his family and was in a serious accident,” said Betsy Goolieff, executive director of the Kootenay Society for Community Living (KSCL), where Cole’s father, Brad, works. “He fell and his skis crossed behind him and hit him on the back of the head. He was wearing a helmet, however he sustained severe injuries from the fall including a broken neck, a broken back, damage to his spinal cord, a concussion and he has bleeding in his brain. He has no sensation at this point from the top of his rib cage down and is in Children’s Hospital in Vancouver in intensive care. “Reports from the hospital are that he will be in intensive care for a minimum of three months with the potential of his stay being extended to nine months, depending on his recovery. Brad has to take a leave of absence from his job to remain in Vancouver to care for his son — he has not left his bedside since the accident. “On Jan. 7, KSCL employees (hosted) a chili luncheon and bake sale at our office with all proceeds being donated to Cole and Brad.” Two other fundraisers are planned as well, including one at the Lion’s Head Smoke and Brew Pub on Jan. 15 and another on Jan. 28 at the Element Bar and Grill. Nikki Leggett, a long-time friend of Cole’s Mom, Amy, and organizer of the Jan. 28 event, said local radio celebrity Drex, of the Drex & Johnson morning show on Mountain FM, will emcee the evening with Element manager Florio Vassilakakis serving as DJ. There will be a $10 charge at the door, all proceeds of which will go to Cole and his family, as well as a donation box inside. The event starts at 10 p.m. “We’ll have a DVD slideshow of Cole up on the screens as well,” she added. “This is so important. Cole’s parents also have two kids here in Castlegar (Jayda, 2 ½ and Caden, 6), so they’ll have to maintain residences here and at the coast, travel back and forth, and pay for any special care Cole may need during his recovery when he comes home. “It’s all incredibly expensive.” Before that, though, KSCL organizers are asking residents and local musicians to join them Jan. 15 at the Lion’s Head Pub in Robson, where local band SubdiVISION will host a jam session starting at 2 p.m. and continuing until closing time, with all proceeds going toward Cole’s family and his recovery. Donations will also be accepted at the KSCL offices at 2224 6 Ave. Plenty of caring and dedicated medical assistance has already borne fruit – Cole’s mom, Amy, told Leggett that the young man is already awake and talking, even calling some of his friends.
Comments