Gonzalo Anzurez is an eighth-grader at Powell Middle School. On Aug. 1, 2024, Gonzalo was involved in a tragic motor vehicle accident. He was then airlifted to Denver Children’s Hospital, and unfortunately, the accident left him with quadriplegia.
According to Merriam-Webster, quadriplegia is defined as “partial or complete paralysis of both the arms and legs that is usually due to injury or disease of the spinal cord in the region of the neck.”
Gonzalo will remain paralyzed for the rest of his life.
Multiple fundraising initiatives have been established to aid Gonzalo and his family to cover expenses.
The American Dream Drive-In held a fundraiser soon after the accident. With help from the community, they donated all funds from popcorn sales and tips to Gonzalo.
“The movie was ‘Twisters’, and the community came out big time,” drive-in owner Pokey Heny said. “So many people bought three, and four buckets of popcorn at a time, donated at the checkout, came out just for the popcorn sales, and donated extra money at the door.”
A common theme among the fundraisers is an involved and generous community.
“This community is so caring and giving, and we raised $1,500 in one night,” Heny said. “That same night a lady was [at American Dream] from Cody selling funnel cakes, and she also donated to the cause. I was beyond thrilled with how much was raised when many people did not know Gonzalo but wanted to help in some way.”
Brenna Henderson, a senior at Powell High School and an American Dream Drive-In employee, echoed that sentiment.
“After this tragic incident, everyone in the community, local businesses, and schools have definitely come together to help Gonzalo and his family,” Henderson said. “I may not have a personal connection to Gonzalo, but I’ve done my best to help wherever I can.”
Westside Elementary School and Powell Middle School hosted a staff competition to raise money. Employees paid to wear jeans, held a bake sale, and participated in a raffle.
“Each staff [member] baked goods and donated them to the bake sale,” second-grade teacher Melissa Gernheart said. “The baked items were sold during the Westside Flannel Fling.”
The Westside students made a huge impact, raising an astonishing $2,064, and Powell Middle School raised $1,030, respectively. The dedicated efforts of both schools resulted in an impressive number of over $3,000.
Powell High School’s student council organized a fundraiser for Gonzalo during homecoming week. This included multiple volleyball games and the football game against Star Valley.
“The idea to raise funds came up and our students made it happen,” student council advisor and science teacher Mrs. Kaitlin Loeffen said. “It was nice having Mrs. Suzi Rivas [Gonzalo’s aunt] at the fundraiser to personally thank donors and to provide an update on Gonzalo’s recovery.”
In those few events, the high school student council raised $1,500.
“As an adviser, I love to see our students uplifting others,” Loeffen said. “This was just one more example of that.”
This sentiment highlights the importance of community support in times of need. As students come together to uplift others, it creates an environment where everyone can thrive and grow, regardless of their circumstances.
“Please join us in showing Gonzalo that he is more than what a tragic accident has done to him,” Suzi Rivas said in a prepared statement. “Join us in helping his family purchase the necessary equipment and find a home that will accommodate Gonzalo.”
For more information and updates about Gonzalo, his Facebook page is linked. For those interested in donating to his cause, visit his GoFundMe page.
“Join us in helping Gonzalo live as he always has, as a boy who just loves life,” Rivas said. “Let’s help him see that there is a big community behind him that is now a part of Team Gonzalo.”
