ST. GEORGE – Support for two Snow Canyon High School students hit by lightning yesterday have flooded websites like Facebook since the accident. Friends, strangers, neighbors and classmates are trying to find ways to make donations to help the families who will incur high medical costs.
“Eventually I’m sure an account will be set up but this is happening so fast. Kids are wanting to donate,” said Boyd Livingston, a close supporter of Snow Canyon High School who has two sons that are friends of the injured teens.
Alex Lambson and Christopher “Dane” Zdunich, members of the Snow Canyon debate team, were hit by lightning while taking cover under a tree from a sudden thunderstorm after school yesterday. School officials performed CPR in the school's band room until an ambulance arrived. Both were later life-flighted to University Medical Center in Las Vegas were they remain in critical condition.
KSL and close friends of the family have reported that the teens are sedated while doctors reassess their injuries.
In the meantime, friends are hoping to help in any way they can.
“This affects every kid at every school,” Livingston said. “This isn’t just a Snow Canyon thing. As I was reading Facebook yesterday, there were many kids at other schools that were affected. These kids are connected through church or activities that they’ve done at other schools. It affects Southern Utah, and we’ve got to help these families.”
Livingston has organized, with permission from Snow Canyon, to collect monetary donations at the Snow Canyon football game Friday night. Snow Canyon will play Dixie at 7 p.m.
He said he will pass red buckets through the stands, with help from cheerleaders. He will also have buckets placed at the entrance for those wishing to donate. The buckets will then be handed to school officials, who will split all donations equally between the two families.
Livingston said monetary donations can also be dropped off at Snow Canyon High School to the main office. Checks should be made to the school, which will give the entire amounts to the families.
A graphic art student at Snow Canyon is also working on designing a T-shirt that can be sold, with profits being donated to the families, he said. The Snow Canyon student council is also accepting donations that they will give to the high school.