CHS leadership works to help local family

“We’ve always done something close to home — it was never just giving money to an organization — even with the Make a Wish Foundation, we had specific Alaskan kids in mind” said Karen Miller, the Colony High teacher, about the CHS Leadership class.

The reasons why the CHS Leadership class, which chooses one charity a year to donate to, chose the Daugharty family this year are no surprise. Scott and Patty Daugharty’s son, Conor, was in an accident May 8 caused by another vehicle running a red light, which left him in a coma for two months and in critical condition for two months more.

The Daughartys are a big name in the Mat-Su educational community; both have been in the education system for some time, in both the Mat-Su Valley and in Eagle River. Conor is an aspiring student, one semester away from graduating from UAA when the accident occurred, and was planning to attend law school at Arizona State University soon after. Conor’s accident has affected the lives of many outside of his immediate family. Adelmo Ciucci, a leadership student, comments on the class’s decision to support Conor.

“The leadership class has always picked charities within the community to help out, and he (Conor) is a local cause, he’s close to people we know.”

The morning of the accident, a vehicle traveling about 65 miles per hour struck the rear of Conor’s vehicle while waiting at the first stoplight going southbound into Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. Paramedics rushed Conor to the Alaska Regional Hospital Intensive Care Unit with a critical Diffuse Axonal Injury, Conor stayed for 32 days in the ICU before moving to St. Elias, a long-term care hospital in Anchorage, for another month. After leaving St. Elias, the family moved to the Craig Hospital Outpatient Center in Colorado where they’re currently residing as Conor undergoes intense physical therapy treatment. The family may continue to move, depending on Conor’s progress and health needs. Although he has shown progress, Conor could take up to two to five years to fully rehabilitate.

The Colony leadership troupe has been raising money for years. Some of the past supported organizations include Covenant House, the Make a Wish Foundation, Children’s Place, the Dorothy Saxton Center, and the Palmer Animal Shelter.

“The (leadership) kids have definitely taught me to be more aware of the number of people in need” said Miller. “So many students come in with personal stories and reasons that they specifically want to donate to a charity.” The leadership class is currently selling Butter Braids and pre-made cookie dough to help offset the cost of the Daugharty’s expenses which have already far-surpassed $2 million.

LeBron McPhail, director of Education and Instruction, and friend of the Daugharty family, commented on the effect the accident has had on the community: “Scott has always been an important part of the school district; he has really made an impact on a lot of kids and parents at his work. A lot of people are torn by this accident… by the show of how many people came to the first fundraiser which garnered approximately $26,000; it shows the outpouring affection for him and his family.”

Scott Daugharty reflected on the impact that others’ kindness has had on him and his family: “The support of our communities were exceptionally generous… generosity both in prayers and in monetary donations have been extraordinary.”

The CHS Leadership class plans to further that support by continuing to raise funds throughout the year.

To help

Anyone interested in contributing to Conor Daugharty can make a deposit at any Wells Fargo Branch, with checks made out as a “Donation Fund for Conor Daugharty.” The account number is 893-964-5977. Mail in donations can be posted to Wells Fargo 705 S. Bailey Street. Palmer, AK, 99645.

Sofia Fouquet is a senior at Colony High School.