“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
#ClaflinStrong
Imagine receiving a phone call saying that your son was in a major automobile accident and that he is in critical condition. Imagine your mind racing and having to travel over 100 miles to get to him without knowing any real details. Throughout the frantic transition you begin to receive bits and pieces of information and find out that this major accident has all traffic blocked for miles and miles which may impact your ability to get to your child…AND that not 1, not 2, but 3 of the occupants of the vehicle your son was riding in were already gone…their lives lost at such a tender age and all of them are college students. You become even more frantic knowing that your son and another one of his friends were life-flighted to a hospital in critical condition. Then, you also learn that the 4th young man has died…and terror creeps up into your spirit and you and your family continues to pray….This nightmare is now our reality. All we can say is UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU…you have NO idea…This is not something that you would wish on anyone!
Gernardo Cato, a former Goose Creek High School basketball player, is the sole survivor of a fatal crash that left four Claflin University students, all budding, active, loving young men, dead Thursday, October 13, 2016. He remains in the intensive care unit (ICU) in a Columbia, South Carolina hospital.
Gernardo, or “Nada” as his family and friends affectionately call him, is a 19 year old freshman at Claflin University. To know Gernardo is to love him. Nada LOVES everything about the game of basketball and intended to try out for the Claflin University Panthers Basketball Team as a walk-on. He has been described as funny, energetic, laid back, nice and he is a self-declared “sneaker-head.” With a smile that radiates any room and a kind nature that permeates all of those around him, it is difficult to see him in the hospital and to know that although doctors say in time his body is expected to heal, no man knows how long it will take his spirit and soul to reconcile from the memories and loss of four of his friends, when he is able to fully comprehend what has transpired.
His family resides in the low country which is over 100 miles (one way) to the hospital. There is no way to adequately describe what the family is going through right now or the projected road to recovery for Gernardo. In addition to not knowing from day to day about his prognosis, in order to remain by his side his mother will have to take an unpaid leave of absence from work. As you can imagine there are many areas of need. This GoFundMe has been established to ensure his family can be with him in Columbia during this time. This will include, but is not limited to expenses for travel to Columbia from Charleston, lodging, food, not to mention his siblings that remain in the low country. ALL proceeds will go directly to assist with his needs and those of his family. This GoFundMe has been established with the permission of his mother, Ms. Shonique Law.
While we do not know everything that Gernardo and his family will need in the near future, we have been informed that he will have a long road to recovery. An account has also been established at Navy Federal Credit Union if you would rather donate at a physical location you may do so by going to the bank and donating to the fund:
Gernardo Cato Fund
c/o Ms. Shonique Law
Navy Federal Credit Union
A quote that Nada often says is, “the moment you give up, is the moment you let someone win.” We will not give up on him and hope that you will help us help the Cato family because it takes a village and we are all a part of the community village. With so much going on so quickly, there are many things that the family has not been able to process. We foresee them needing immediate assistance with such things as hotel accommodations, gas cards, and meals for the family in both locations. We also know that throughout this process there will be continued assistance necessary. Please continue to keep Gernardo, his entire family, the families of the four young men who died in the accident, those who witnessed the accident, friends as well as the Claflin University family in your prayers.
If you are an alumnus of Claflin University and would like to join in class challenges or for additional information on how you can be of service (when Claflin calls we answer ONE and ALL) you may contact Dr. DaNine J. Fleming (Class of 1996).
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
There is no amount too large or too small.
We appreciate your support!
http://www.postandcourier.com/20161014/161019683/former-goose-creek-basketball-player-sole-survivor-of-fatal-columbia-crash
#ClaflinStrong
Imagine receiving a phone call saying that your son was in a major automobile accident and that he is in critical condition. Imagine your mind racing and having to travel over 100 miles to get to him without knowing any real details. Throughout the frantic transition you begin to receive bits and pieces of information and find out that this major accident has all traffic blocked for miles and miles which may impact your ability to get to your child…AND that not 1, not 2, but 3 of the occupants of the vehicle your son was riding in were already gone…their lives lost at such a tender age and all of them are college students. You become even more frantic knowing that your son and another one of his friends were life-flighted to a hospital in critical condition. Then, you also learn that the 4th young man has died…and terror creeps up into your spirit and you and your family continues to pray….This nightmare is now our reality. All we can say is UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU…you have NO idea…This is not something that you would wish on anyone!
Gernardo Cato, a former Goose Creek High School basketball player, is the sole survivor of a fatal crash that left four Claflin University students, all budding, active, loving young men, dead Thursday, October 13, 2016. He remains in the intensive care unit (ICU) in a Columbia, South Carolina hospital.
Gernardo, or “Nada” as his family and friends affectionately call him, is a 19 year old freshman at Claflin University. To know Gernardo is to love him. Nada LOVES everything about the game of basketball and intended to try out for the Claflin University Panthers Basketball Team as a walk-on. He has been described as funny, energetic, laid back, nice and he is a self-declared “sneaker-head.” With a smile that radiates any room and a kind nature that permeates all of those around him, it is difficult to see him in the hospital and to know that although doctors say in time his body is expected to heal, no man knows how long it will take his spirit and soul to reconcile from the memories and loss of four of his friends, when he is able to fully comprehend what has transpired.
His family resides in the low country which is over 100 miles (one way) to the hospital. There is no way to adequately describe what the family is going through right now or the projected road to recovery for Gernardo. In addition to not knowing from day to day about his prognosis, in order to remain by his side his mother will have to take an unpaid leave of absence from work. As you can imagine there are many areas of need. This GoFundMe has been established to ensure his family can be with him in Columbia during this time. This will include, but is not limited to expenses for travel to Columbia from Charleston, lodging, food, not to mention his siblings that remain in the low country. ALL proceeds will go directly to assist with his needs and those of his family. This GoFundMe has been established with the permission of his mother, Ms. Shonique Law.
While we do not know everything that Gernardo and his family will need in the near future, we have been informed that he will have a long road to recovery. An account has also been established at Navy Federal Credit Union if you would rather donate at a physical location you may do so by going to the bank and donating to the fund:
Gernardo Cato Fund
c/o Ms. Shonique Law
Navy Federal Credit Union
A quote that Nada often says is, “the moment you give up, is the moment you let someone win.” We will not give up on him and hope that you will help us help the Cato family because it takes a village and we are all a part of the community village. With so much going on so quickly, there are many things that the family has not been able to process. We foresee them needing immediate assistance with such things as hotel accommodations, gas cards, and meals for the family in both locations. We also know that throughout this process there will be continued assistance necessary. Please continue to keep Gernardo, his entire family, the families of the four young men who died in the accident, those who witnessed the accident, friends as well as the Claflin University family in your prayers.
If you are an alumnus of Claflin University and would like to join in class challenges or for additional information on how you can be of service (when Claflin calls we answer ONE and ALL) you may contact Dr. DaNine J. Fleming (Class of 1996).
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
There is no amount too large or too small.
We appreciate your support!
http://www.postandcourier.com/20161014/161019683/former-goose-creek-basketball-player-sole-survivor-of-fatal-columbia-crash