Mid-Missourians have raised at least $7,500 to support the family of an Eldon teen severely injured recently during football practice.
Hunter Bushnell, a junior, severely injured his neck during special teams drills Sept. 20 at Eldon High School football practice. Since then, Mid-Missourians have rallied to help his family pay for medical expenses.
Photos posted by his family to social media show Bushnell's condition appears to be improving.
Sarah Rader, Eldon Board of Education treasurer and manager of business services, told the News Tribune a T-shirt drive held by the school sold about 1,500 shirts and raised approximately $7,500 for the family.
"The T-shirt sales have been fantastic," Rader said. "They've re-opened ordering because we had such a great response."
Eldon football coach Shannon Jolley said the support for Bushnell from the community feels incredible.
"That was pretty unbelievable," Jolley said of the T-shirt drive.
Sales of the gold "Backing Bushy" shirts with Bushnell's football number, 13, and the school's maroon mustang emblazoned on the front can be ordered for $10 at all Eldon R-1 district schools through Oct. 6 and on Eldon High School's Facebook page through Oct. 8.
T-shirts were sold at Eldon's football game Friday night against Southern Boone. The team also planned to hold a moment of silence before the game and raise awareness for spinal cord injuries with a green balloon release.
Donations can be made to an account in Bushnell's name at the Central Bank branch at 611 E. North St. in Eldon, mailed to that branch, or dropped off at any Central Bank branch and labeled "to the benefit of Hunter Bushnell."
Eldon Athletic Director Steve Henderson said last week that collections will be taken at every home athletic event throughout the rest of the year to raise as much money as possible for the family.
Donations also poured in from smaller contributions. Some people made white and maroon bows with Bushnell's name and number and sold them online for $10 each. Another person sold green bows, representing spinal cord injury awareness, with his number on them. One fundraiser sold green wristbands that read "HB #13 #MUSTANGSTRONG."
Players from Boonville High visited Bushnell in the hospital. Other area schools like California High School have held fundraisers to help support Bushnell's family.
University of Missouri football coach Barry Odom showed his support for Bushnell at last Saturday's home game against Auburn when he wore a wristband with Bushnell's No. 13 written on it.
"That was a pretty amazing gesture," Jolley said. "It puts things in perspective: whether you're winning or losing football games, that speaks to the character of Odom's staff."
Bushnell broke his C5 vertebrae when he collided with another player and took a blow to the head during special teams drills. The injury paralyzed Bushnell from the chest down. Bushnell had successful surgery last week to repair the damage to his neck, and doctors wanted to wait until swelling went down to determine if the damage was permanent.
Bushnell's mom, Brandy Shoop, said on Facebook that he has shown steady progress throughout the last week. By Monday, Bushnell sat up in a neck brace. Later in the week, Shoop posted that he regained some feeling in his big toes, ankles, knees and tailbone.
He was transported Friday to Rusk Rehabilitation Center in Columbia.
Jolley was a frequent visitor to Bushnell's hospital room over the last week and saw him Thursday night. He said Bushnell has progressed well.
"There's been some steady improvement," Jolley said.
He said, though, it's too early to know Bushnell's long-term prognosis.