Fundraiser for student athlete injured by lightning strike receives tens of thousands in donations

An online fundraiser for the student athlete injured in a lightning strike in Kalispell earlier this week has surpassed its initial $10,000 goal with over $40,000 in donations.

The GoFundMe was organized by the student’s older sister, Maddy Schaefer, on Wednesday and has since received money from over 600 donors. Schaefer wrote on the website that her brother is “stable at this time and able to squeeze our hands.” 

During a scheduled soccer practice Monday evening, lightning struck, injuring two underclassmen and a coach. While the coach and one student were released from Logan Health Medical Center, one remains in intensive care. 

Around 40 students were on the field at the Aug. 19 practice, according to Glacier High School Activities Director Mark Dennehy. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.  

After the first sight of lightning, the four coaches present directed players off the field, Dennehy said. Many took shelter in their cars. 

The coaches monitored the storm via radar and were in phone contact with the team. A youth football team was also practicing on a nearby field, and Dennehy said those coaches were monitoring the weather too.  

After what Dennehy estimated to be 45 minutes, the coaches reconvened the team and resumed practice.  

“And then within a couple of minutes, that’s when the lightning struck,” he said.  

Head coach Ryan Billiet administered CPR to the student, who is still in the intensive care unit, followed by athletic trainer Kerianne Fuller and first responders who continued first-aid. An automated external defibrillator was used on the student.  

Officers from the Kalispell Police Department arrived at the scene at 5:47 p.m. along with other emergency services. Dennehy said that first responders from the Forest Service and Kalispell Fire Department were also present. 

Dennehy arrived at the field shortly after the lightning strike. He described the weather as blue skies.  

“Just out of nowhere, that lightning struck,” he said. 

According to protocol from the National Federation of State High School Associations, in the event of lightning, activity must be suspended for 30 minutes immediately after thunder is heard or lightning is seen. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our kids and coaches that were directly impacted by the situation.” Dennehy said. “We have a whole lot of gratitude to our first responders, our coaches and our medical community for all the work and also the great care that we received from our community.” 

Glacier High School Principal Brad Holloway was unable to provide more information on the status of the student that remains hospitalized. 

“We are so overwhelmed with gratitude by the support from everyone who has donated, shared, prayed for Mason.” Schaefer wrote on GoFundMe. “Thank you to everybody, we have a long road ahead of us.” 

The GoFundMe can be found at: www.gofundme.com/f/help-mason-recover-from-lightening-strike. 

Jack Underhill can be reached at junderhill@dailyinterlake.com and 758-4407.