On Oct. 28, 2019, Kylie Benson from Valliant, Oklahoma survived a horrific car accident and now, three months, later the community is coming together to show their support for the 16-year old who continues to fight to recover daily.
Benson, who has family in Lamar County, survived being run over by a semi before getting herself out of the burning vehicle and walking over 200 feet to search for help before she collapsed.
She was transported to a Texas hospital in a critical/stable condition with 60 percent-plus 3rd-degree burns on her body, as well as, other injuries. The doctors told her family to expect a six-month hospital stay on the road to recovery.
Benson has already undergone more than a dozen surgeries, and according to her ‘Kylie B Strong’ Facebook page, she continues to take it all in stride and putting all that she can towards God for healing and strength.
Since the wreck, friends and family have rallied behind Benson to support her in any way they could. A GoFundMe page was created with the goal of raising $10,000 and as of Jan. 8, more than $16,000 had been donated.
Not only have people been supporting Kylie through the GoFundMe page, but they have also been purchasing ball caps, shirts, and bracelets with a ‘Kylie B Strong’ logo.
Support hasn’t stopped just there either, this Saturday, Jan. 11 at the Short Go Arena in Detroit, 6990 FM410 N, organizers look to welcome hundreds of people who are ready to take part in a team roping, and cornhole tournament.
“We are expecting a big crowd,” said one of the events organizer Jana Goforth.
The cornhole tournament will be a double-elimination tournament. First place will take home $500 and second place will take home $250.
Tournament sponsors are Clinic Pharmacy of Mt Pleasant and Clay Rose with Lone Star Collision. To play in the tournament, it will be $40 a team with a start time at 10 a.m. sharp. Entrants must bring their own bags and enter in teams.
When it comes to the team roping side of the big day event, Tee Green is taking the lead. Green has been friends with the family for many years and thought this was a great way to raise some much-needed funds for the teen.
The format for the roping will see a #9, pick one draw two. This will be $120 per roper for entry fees. The other roping on offer is the #12 slide, the entry fee is $40 per roper, and you will enter as a team.
Green said books will open at 1 p.m., and the roping is slugged to begin a 2 p.m. after the auction.
“I feel like we will see a great turnout of ropers on Saturday,” said Green. “We were originally going to hold the roping before Christmas, but with ropings being held at Wickenburg, AZ and the World Series roping in Las Vegas, we decided to move it back to make sure no one misses out.”
Green went on to say that David Carpenter was providing stock for the event, and with a covered arena, rain or shine, the fundraiser will run.
30 briskets will also be prepared on Friday night for the event, plates will cost $10 on the day and will be served at noon.
“Silent auction runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it’s everything from pies and cakes to some goody baskets and a few smaller items,” said Goforth. “Our live auction starts at 11 a.m., and we’ve got a custom buckle, some refurbished furniture, heifers, cattle troughs, a gun, tailgate bench, feeder, and much more.”
Green said having been in a similar position years ago after a bad wreck; he knows first hand what fundraisers can do to help with medical costs, bills and basic living needs.
All the proceeds of the event will be given to Kylie to help her in her recovery.
“This is just me paying it forward to Kylie,” said Green.
To keep up to date on the upcoming event or to contact event coordinators CLICK HERE.
