The tragic accident this past weekend has affected so many members of our community - on so many levels - and the overwhelming love and support that Castle Rock has shown these families is amazing.

We have all told our teens so many times about the dangers of drinking and driving - and when your kids do everything right, yet there is a tragedy like this, we look for answers. Words seem not enough - we give, we grieve, we gather, and we try to find some way to possibly move forward.

Owen, while miraculously able to return home after the accident and a brief visit to the emergency room, has a very long road of healing ahead of him. The losses he is experiencing would be devastating to any person - and feeling "lucky to be alive" is an understatement. The truck Owen was driving that night was a special gift from his grandfather. It too, is gone. The grief he is feeling now, will be with him forever. He has lost so much and will need so much to move forward.

We would like to help Owen's family with the many expenses they will face (and have already faced) due to this tragedy. All funds raised will be given to his Mom and Step-Dad to be used to help Owen's mental health needs, eventual new car needs, and other expenses associated with the accident. They have a long journey of healing ahead of them and any help we can give will be most appreciated.

Susan Thayer and Shannon Rodarte