A Minnesota teenager continues his road to recovery. 17-year-old Trenton Bass suffered a spinal cord injury on the football field last month and is now healing at a rehab center in Denver. Community members surrounding the teen’s hometown of Hills, MN are helping out any way that they can. 

Since Trenton Bass’s injury, community members have been helping the family out in any way that they can, including hosting fundraisers.

The Green Lantern Bar and Café in Hardwick, MN held a chili cook-off. People were able to bring their own chili while others paid $5 for an all-you-can-eat buffet. 

“It was just basically during happy hour, we decided to do a chili cook-off for the Vikings-Packers and decided that this would be a great cause to raise money for,” said Jens Jensen, Owner, Green Lantern Bar and Cafe. 

Even though some community members at the cook-off don’t know the family personally, they wanted to help. 

“He needs our help whether it’s mentally, emotionally, physically, or money and that’s the way you got to come together to support him,” said Dick Mills, community member. 

20 miles south, that’s what the Hills community is doing. A bean bag tournament with a silent auction and 50-50 raffle was organized to help raise money for the Bass family and another family that has had a medical hardship. 

“When I heard of the accident then I thought, well let’s make good of it and do something well for the families,” said Tony Beuhlmann, Co-Organizer.

Organizers were able to to get businesses to donate items such as cornhole boards, gift cards, and even TVs for the silent auction.

“It’s nice. I’ve actually done a few fundraisers where I’ve donated stuff and I enjoy that,” said Mark Kruger, Co-Organizer. 

Tony Buehlmann and Mark Kruger paired up to create the event.Beuhlmann is a Sioux Falls native who had this idea soon after Trenton’s injury. 

“Actually, probably about a month. It was just kind of a last minute, spur of the moment type thing and we just decided to do it and let’s make it work,” said Buehlmann. 

Supporters say they love watching the communities come together to show support for their own. 

Organizers of the events say they’re hoping to raise a lot of money and will be dropping off the funds as soon as they can on Monday.