A vehicle wreck early in December sent one local youth, Aidan Kenelly, to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury and fractured jaw, and unleashed an outpouring of support from our community. Aidan was flown to the Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he is currently undergoing treatment, according to the “Prayers for Aidan” Facebook group.

Many individuals and businesses throughout the Broadus and Ashland communities have been raising funds for the Kenelly family’s medical and associated costs.

The Daisy Patch Custom Embroidery & Vinyl is working on a custom shirt design, with proceeds from the shirt sales going to a medical fund for Aidan. Michelle said the shirts will be pre-ordered and will need to be paid for up front, with an ordering deadline of January 9th.

The Broadus Hawk football team, along with other students, sold twenty pickup loads of firewood as a fundraiser for Aidan’s medical bills. The team will cut, split, and deliver the wood to area residents, according to event organizer Steph Schaffer.

Western Chick raised funds for Aidan during their 12 Days of Christmas Sale. During the 6th day of the event, 16% of their sales for the day were donated to Aidan, in honor of his 16th birthday. Western Chick thanks everyone for shopping to help with the donation.

Powder River Petals raffled off two of their custom floral Christmas pieces. Tickets were $5 each and the drawing was held on December 23rd at the shop. Powder River Petals proprietor Amber McDowell tells us that as of last Friday, around 500 tickets had been sold.

Bella Si Salon is donating $400 in services to four lucky people. Trista, Tracy, Theo and Charlee will each be giving away a $100 gift certificate. Purchase 1 ticket for $5, or 5 tickets for $20. Stop in the salon to get your tickets. The drawing will be held February 13th.

The Corner Store in Broadus is donating $1000 towards Aidan’s cause. Lyman Amsden of the Corner Store told us that when he was in a car wreck in the 1950’s, the local community pitched in to help him out, and he wants to pay it forward to help Aidan.

Aidan’s cause has also been taken up by the folks in Jordan, which reportedly held a “Hats for a Cause” event at Jordan Public Schools on December 17th. Students in Jordan were able to pay a $5 fee in order to wear a hat all day in school, with the funds going towards Aidan’s medical expenses.

For those looking to donate directly to help the young man and his family, an account has been set up at First Community Bank in Ashland, under the account name “Donations for Aidan”. They may be reached at 784-2302.

Posts on the Facebook group by Aidan’s mom, Lynn Sparks Kenelly, indicate Aidan is steadily healing. We wish him the best. The entire Southeastern Montana community is cheering for him.