Sugarcreek Elementary raises $6,000 ahead of Mason Martin’s birthday
COWANSVILLE — Mason Martin’s elementary school raised $6,000 after former teachers of the injured Karns City quarterback organized a fundraiser ahead of his 18th birthday this weekend.
Assisted by the fifth-grade class and student council members, students in kindergarten through sixth-grade at Sugarcreek Elementary School participated in the Mason Strong Shoot-A-Thon on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Parents and community members could donate a flat fee or sponsor a student for each soccer goal kicked or basket shot in the gym.
Mary Twentier, a fifth-grade teacher and one of the event organizers, said the fundraiser centered around sports to highlight one of Mason’s passions.
The response to Mason’s injury, hospitalization and rehabilitation, as well as the event itself, are a testament to the close-knit community in Karns City, said principal Jeffrey Wagner, who coached the football player last year.
“Generally people care for each other here,” Wagner said. “A lot of people who grow up here, stay here. They show up when people are in need.”
Since September, businesses and storefronts in Karns City and the surrounding area have continued to display decals and posters in support of the high school senior, reading “Mason Strong.”
Mason “is one of our guys,” said Joe Schumacher, the student council adviser and fifth-grade teacher who spearheaded the fundraiser along with Twentier.
Wagner said both Twentier and Schumacher taught Mason in their classrooms years ago.
“He was just very kind to everyone,” Twentier said of Mason.
Schumacher, who is on the district’s varsity football staff, also coached the senior in junior high.
He described Mason as a “sweet kid” in the classroom, “never making a fuss” and gracious to other classmates he was assigned to work with during class.
Schumacher said Mason brought a positive energy with him on and off the field. He recalled seeing Mason collapse the night of the football game against the Redbank Valley Bulldogs on Sep. 1. He watched him walk over to an official, then fall to the ground.
“Next thing you know, he’s down,” Schumacher said. “From that moment, all of us were pulling together, rooting for him to get up, and then he doesn’t get up.
“When that kind of stuff happens, it’s really scary. These things bring out the best in people, but they also bring out the fear.”
He said the Karns City coaches stood together in a circle and stayed at the school close to 11 p.m., waiting to hear updates as Mason was airlifted to Pittsburgh.
In late December, Schumacher said he visited Mason in the hospital with other coaches. The quarterback was sitting up, Schumacher said, and as the visitors spoke, Mason followed them with his eyes.
Schumacher said the visit was encouraging, though he said he recognized Mason’s recovery has seen ups and downs.
“We’re hopeful that things go well for him,” Schumacher said. “It’s not easy, even in this moment, but we’re always hoping for him to get better.”
