Community raises $30,000 to help family

In two weeks, friends, teammates and total strangers have raised nearly $30,000 to help the family of 10-year-old Joey Jacobsen, critically injured last month in a woodcutting accident.

Joey remains in a medically induced coma at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, but dozens of people at home in Carson Valley have been hard at work on his behalf.

Family friend Steve Stratton raised $11,000 from the sale of 300 Christmas trees and donations collected at Joey Jacobsen's Tree Lot.

The Joey Jacobsen 5K We Believe Poker Run on Saturday raised $7,000 from 140 participants. The event began at Harley Davidson in Carson City and ended at Jethro's in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

On Sunday, more than 200 walkers and runners signed up for the 5K We Believe Run and raised $7,000.

Douglas High School Block D adviser Ernie Monfiletto and Sportco donated Team Joey T-Shirts that quickly sold out and raised $4,000 for the family to cover nonmedical expenses.

To cap the weekend's events, the We Believe "Field of Dreams" float took top honors Saturday in the annual Parade of Lights.

Joey's aunt, Debbie Jacobsen, had the best explanation for the outpouring of support for the family.

"A little boy named Joe has brought the spirit back in to a lot of people's lives," she said. "This community is awesome!! Whether by donations or prayers, the Caring Bridge messages, the meals that people have brought to the hospital " you could go on and on at the support that the family has received."

Stratton said his Christmas trees sold out in a record 10 days.

"I'd say half the people who bought the trees knew Joey and the other half had read about him," Stratton said. "I expected them to sell, but it amazed me. The community gave a ton in 10 days."

Stratton kind of shrugs off the thanks he receives.

"We provided a space. It's the people of this town who were the ones who gave," he said.

Joey's parents, Tim and Robbi Jacobsen and older brother Timmy, who have kept a vigil at his bedside, were able to attend the parade on Saturday.

Debbie Jacobsen said the float stopped in front of Mike Gilbert's office in Old Town Minden where the Jacobsens were watching.

"The kids on the float chanted and shouted at the top of their lungs, 'We believe, Tim and Robbi! We believe, Tim and Robbi!'" Debbie said.

"I will simply leave the night as one of the most amazing displays of love, hope and affection that one small Northern Nevada community could ever create. This moment will be etched in the minds of all those who were there for a long, long time to come," she said. "This moment was for Tim. This moment was for Robbi. This moment was all for Joey."

Joey, a fifth grader at Minden Elementary School, was injured Nov. 22 on a woodcutting trip in Markleeville with his father and a family friend.

Robbi Jacobsen teaches at Gardnerville Elementary School and Tim Jacobsen operates a home maintenance business. Joey is the grandson of Betty Jacobsen of Minden and the late State Sen. Lawrence E. Jacobsen.

YOU CAN HELP

n Joey Jacobsen Day at Line Drive U is Dec. 20, noon-9 p.m. 2577 Nowlin Road, No. 101 off Johnson Lane. Line Drive U is an Indoor baseball and softball training facility. Douglas High School coaches will be offering golf and baseball lessons from noon-6 p.m. There is a nine-hole miniature golf course. There will also be pitching machines so anyone interested can take a couple of swings. For lessons, call 267-3331.

n The Joey Jacobsen Baseball Camp is Dec. 29-31 at the Carson Valley Cougar baseball facility, 2222 Park Place, Minden. Sessions are 9 to 11:30 a.m. (5-9 years old) and 12 to 2:30 p.m. (10-12 years old). Cost is $40 per player and $10 for each additional family member. All proceeds will go toward offsetting Joey Jacobsen's medical costs. For more information, call Bruce Jacobsen at (775) 552-3076.

n Joey Jacobsen wristbands, at $5 each, are available at The Record-Courier, 1503 Highway 395, Suite G, Gardnerville; United Rentals, near Meadowdale Shopping Center, Gardnerville; Studio Vogue, 1495 Highway 395, Gardnerville; and Country Insurance & Financial Services, 1644 Highway 395, Minden, Information, Mike Davies, 230-5646 or Lisa Aiazzi, 781-0928.

n An account has been set up at the Bank of America in Minden, No. 5010-0730-0228, Joey's Donation.