CVCHS football and community rally around teens struck by tragedy
Every teenager wants a car. But for Sammy King, 18, and her two younger siblings, a car is more than just a ride to visit friends, see a movie or go on a road trip.
The King family’s story reads like something out of Dickens. Three children, ages 11-18, whose father died a few years ago, just recently lost their mother to cancer. In a final, ignominious blow, the family car was then repossessed.
Through the tragedies, eldest sister Sammy strove to keep her and her siblings lives stable, in the area where they attended school and have friends.
“There was no question we had to stay here, whatever it takes,” she said.
Everyone, from extended family to friends to complete strangers off the street stepped forward. A friend opened her home as a place for Sammy to live and helps her with rides to school at DVC, while extended family offered homes to her younger siblings. A trust fund was started to help cover the children’s expenses. And the Clayton Valley Charter High School football team – on which Sammy’s 16-year old brother Jacob plays – reached out as well, with the whole team showing up for their mother’s funeral service and offering both moral and financial support.
“Our community has been crazy there for us since my mom (died) and everything,” Sammy said. “Even though both of my parents have passed, we’ve gained like 50 new parents. Every single parent I know has been there for us.”
“I think communities that are strong are the ones that take care of the ones in hard times,” said CVCHS football coach Tim Murphy “It wasn’t even a blink, the next day, people were asking how they could help.”
Asked what was the one thing they could really use in this holiday season, Sammy was hesitant.
“Once I get a car, I’ll be mobile,” she said finally. “I’ve been walking to work a lot. I can go visit my sister when I have a day off. I’m taking classes five days a week. Having a car is going to change everything.”
Not alone
The community is lending its support to another local family as well.
While helping his team win game after game, no one would guess that star CVCHS quarterback Gabe Taylor and his family are just hanging on, living in a shelter and counting on friends to help them survive.
“They’ve held it together through really tough times,” said Murphy of both Jacob and Gabe. I think you figure out who you are when the most devastating things happen to you.”
Gabe’s mom and his three siblings have had struggles throughout their lives. Mom Dawn Bennett labored to keep the family afloat with a series of jobs, with no support from the children’s father. Despite her efforts, however, the family lost their home in 2011 and was forced to move in with friends, and then to a shelter. There, the family of five lives crowded into a 350-square foot unit while Dawn fills out paperwork to qualify for disability and food assistance programs.
Dawn told only a few people of their plight. Instead, she continued marching forward, working as a medical assistant until again life dealt her a blow, and an old back injury flared up again, forcing her to stop work.
Learning of the situation of their star quarterback, and of his mom who could be found cheerfully helping at team dinners every week, the CVCHS football crew stepped forward again.
“They’ve been helping out a lot,” said Gabe. “They all put gift cards down, they bought me some slippers, Coach Murph bought me cleats. They give my mom gas cards and stuff, money to go shopping. The football team, they just think of everyone as a family.”
Looking ahead
Both Gabe and Sammy King have been inspired by the help they’ve gained from the community to help others themselves.
As Gabe listed the reasons why he wants to be a firefighter someday, his sense of humor glimmered through.
“One, because I want to help others,” he counted. “Two it’s a steady job, and there’s a lot of benefits that come with it. And three, the dog. There’s going to be a firefighter dog there, I’m going to name him Spot.”
Asked what she plans to do once she graduates college, Sammy said she hopes to become a chemotherapy specialist like the ones who helped her mother at the hospital.
“When my mom was doing her chemotherapy, she looked forward to seeing her nurse,” she said.
“Even though you’re going through a bad situation, there’s something positive in your day,” Sammy said. “I want to be that person.”
Memorial Funds
A memorial fund has been set up for the King family at Wells Fargo Bank. Deposits can be made at any Wells Fargo using account number 3640420802. Checks should be made out to The King Family Fund.
To help the Bennett family. go to gofundme.com/5huslw or drop off donations or gift cards at Weichert Realty, 5356 Clayton Rd. #101, Concord, attention Julie Rogers; jrogers@weichert.com