An auction fundraiser organized to benefit 16-year-old Traeson Finch of Star Valley ends this week. The fundraiser “Thumbs up for Traeson” has multiple items donated by local businesses and community members such as gift certificates, a paddleboard, a guided fishing trip, gift baskets, e-bike and more. A full list of items donated can be found on the Facebook page “Thumbs up for Traeson.”
Tickets for the raffle drawing are on sale until the end of the day Thursday, August 31. Drawings for the prizes will take place the evening of Friday, September 1. Tickets are $10/each or six for $50. Raffle tickets can be purchased through Venmo to @Traeson-Finch.
Finch was seriously injured in a car accident on July 18. He was on his way home from work, heading to his brother’s birthday party, when he fell asleep at the wheel. During the accident he was ejected from his vehicle, landing roughly 60-feet away. His life was saved thanks to the quick response and action of emergency responders who were first on scene. He was then life-flighted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where he spent seven days in a coma and then another six to seven days coming in and out of his a coma.
The accident not only caused several broken bones, including his c2 vertebrae in his neck, but there was also major brain swelling and bleeding.
As of the latest update on Traeson posted on August 15 to the “Thumbs up for Traeson” auction page on Facebook, he has now returned home where he is recovering. He was able to walk out of the hospital under his own power. While he still has a long road of recovery ahead of him, his family stated that “we are so grateful for the amazing progress he has made. Again, thank you all for the love prayers, and support. We are blessed to have so very many special people in our lives.”
Proceeds from the fundraiser auction will be used to cover the costs of medical bills from Traeson’s initial treatment and his ongoing therapy. His father is currently active duty military while his mom is working as a nurse.
In addition to the fundraiser auction, a donation account has also been established at the Bank of Star Valley as well as a GoFundMe account which has also been titled “Thumbs up for Traeson.”
