Northern Michigan basketball community rallies around Escanaba following tragedy

Brendan Wiesner, The Sault News
·2 min read
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The Harbor Springs and St. Ignace high school basketball teams hold a moment of silence before their game on Monday, Jan. 30, to show support for Escanaba.
The Harbor Springs and St. Ignace high school basketball teams hold a moment of silence before their game on Monday, Jan. 30, to show support for Escanaba.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN — In the wake of a tragic accident, basketball teams across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are rallying around Escanaba Area Public Schools to raise money and show their support for a family in need.

Gerald “Jerry” and Tara Weaver, both 47, of Escanaba were en route to Sault Ste. Marie to watch their son's basketball game on Friday, Jan. 27. According to the Michigan State Police, troopers were dispatched to a multi-vehicle traffic crash on US-2 in Delta County at approximately 3:55 p.m. Upon arrival, troopers encountered several vehicles involved in the crash with multiple injuries.

Jerry and Tara were pronounced dead at the scene. Another driver was injured. The crash remains under investigation.

The Friday night basketball game in Sault Ste. Marie was called off at halftime when news of the crash broke.

In the days since the tragedy, schools, teams and other community groups across the region have come together to host fundraisers and donate to the family. The Weavers had three children, all whom attended or currently attend Escanaba High School.

Prior to their game on Monday, Jan. 30, the Harbor Springs and St. Ignace teams held a moment of silence. The crowd was encouraged to wear orange and black, Escanaba's colors, to the game. They also had a "dash for cash" during both the varsity boys and girls games, with all proceeds going to the Weaver family.

“It was a special night,” Harbor Springs girls’ basketball coach Amy Flynn told the Petoskey News-Review. "It was nice that the community was out here supporting Escanaba.”

More:Harbor girls top St. Ignace, boys fall; Rams raise money for grief-stricken Escanaba

Harbor Springs and St. Ignace fans wear orange and black, Escanaba's colors, to show support for the Weaver family during a basketball game on Jan. 30.
Harbor Springs and St. Ignace fans wear orange and black, Escanaba's colors, to show support for the Weaver family during a basketball game on Jan. 30.

More than $3,000 was collected for the Weaver family during the Iron Mountain-North Central varsity boys basketball game on Monday. Boyne City teams announced they would have a donation bucket available during their games on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week for the family.

And more support is still coming.

In total, over 100 fundraisers and donation opportunities have been created by the community. A complete list of fundraisers involved can be found in a Facebook post by Dani Beauchamp.

Established Monday, a GoFundMe page for the family has already raised more than $100,000. An account for the Weaver family has also been set up at First Bank in Escanaba. Those interested can call the bank at (906) 786-3355 to donate.

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According to their obituary, visitation for Jerry and Tara will take place Thursday, Feb. 2. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established for their children.

— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Northern Michigan basketball community rallies around Escanaba following tragedy