Friends plan fundraisers to help Jacobsens

Friends of a 10-year-old Minden boy seriously hurt in a woodcutting accident will be walking, running, driving and parading this weekend in a series of fund-raisers to help the family with expenses not covered by insurance.

Joey Jacobsen, who suffered a head injury in a woodcutting accident, remained in critical condition Tuesday at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.

He was taken by CareFlight to the hospital after he was hurt Nov. 22 when a tree fell on him during a woodcutting trip with his father and a family friend in Alpine County.

Since the accident, friends and family have been keeping up with his recovery through frequent postings on the Caring Bridge Web site.

As of noon Tuesday, visits to the site were averaging 2,400 a day. More than 1,500 people left messages of encouragement and prayers for recovery, some two or three times a day.

We Believe " Joey Jacobsen Poker Run is set for 9 a.m. Saturday beginning at Harley Davidson in Carson City and ending at Jethro's in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

Smiley Cazier and Tim Miller, who know the Jacobsens through Little League, organized the event to help with nonmedical expenses incurred by the Minden family who have been at their son's bedside in Reno.

"The family needs community help," Cazier said. "We are sure they would do the same thing for any of us."

He's looking for volunteers to help with the poker run. A meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Stratton Center in Gardnerville to plan the event.

Organizers also are looking for donations for raffle and silent auction items.

He is the son of Robbi and Tim Jacobsen, younger brother to Timmy and grandson of Betty Jacobsen and the late State Sen. Lawrence E. Jacobsen.

Cazier said he woke up early Thanksgiving and came up with the idea of the poker run.

"This is about a kid," he said. "You don't wish that on any person. It puts a heck of a burden on a family."

Keith Hart, a family friend, fellow coach and owner of Big Daddy's Bicycles & Fitness in Gardnerville, is putting together a float to honor Joey in the annual Parade of Lights at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Hart is looking for volunteers to help build the float and any children who would like to ride in the parade.

"We'll park a trailer in front of the store. Whoever wants to donate lights or help put them on can come on by. The theme will be 'We believe,' and Joey's Little League team, the Pirates," he said.

Hart said there were several reasons for the float including helping the family and giving the community a way to show support.

"Joey and my son Jace are very close friends, best friends. I'm a second dad," Hart said.

He said he was gratified by the outpouring of support for the Jacobsens, from the thousands of visits to Joey's Web site to the people who bought a Christmas tree from Steve Stratton with the proceeds going to the Jacobsens.

"I think Steve (Stratton) said it best today," Hart said. "It renews your support for the Valley. We kind of thought we lost that for a bit, but everybody is grateful we live here."

The We Believe 5K Run/Walk fundraiser is Sunday at the Douglas High School parking lot. The course will travel through Ironwood and Westwood and end in the parking lot. A $25 donation includes a "We Believe" T-Shirt. Registration starts at 9 a.m. in the parking lot and the event begins at 10 a.m. Early registration is appreciated. Contact Terran Hadlock at terranlynn@gmail.com.

- An account has been set up at the Bank of America in Minden, no. 5010-0730-0228, Joey's Donation, to assist the family with expenses not covered by insurance.

- Family friend Steve Stratton has opened Joey Jacobsen Tree Lot with proceeds going to the Jacobsen family. The lot is at Stratton Center, Highway 395, Gardnerville.

- A poker run is 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday. The event begins at Harley Davidson, 2900 Research Way, Carson City and ends at Jethro's in the Gardnerville Ranchos at 12:30 p.m. Items are being sought for a raffle and silent auction. The entry fee is $10 a hand and the poker run is open to all vehicles. Information: 781-7621 or 781-7571.

n Volunteers are needed to help build Joey Jacobsen's float for the Parade of Lights on Saturday. The float will be parked at Big Daddy's Bicycles & Fitness, 1546 Highway 395, Gardnerville. Information: 782-7077 or 781-0650.

- The We Believe 5K Run/Walk fundraiser is Sunday at the Douglas High School parking lot. The course will travel through Ironwood and Westwood and end in the parking lot. A $25 donation includes a "We Believe" T-Shirt. Registration starts at 9 a.m. in the parking lot and the event begins at 10 a.m. Early registration is appreciated. Contact Terran Hadlock at terranlynn@gmail.com.