Cedar Falls Turns Out by the Hundreds to Support 'Unstoppable' Hometown Hero Taylor Morris

Cedar Falls citizens turned out in remarkable fashion Friday night to support one of their own.

Hundreds packed the Pipac Center for a benefit for Taylor Morris, a Navy petty officer who was badly injured in Afghanistan in May.

Time and again, the theme of the night was community spirit and support for a native son.

"I've got to say, Cedar Falls, I do a lot of these things," Gary Kroeger, who emceed the fundraiser, said. "I've never seen so many people in one room for one event. Thank you. We are overwhelmed with the turnout."

An organizer said 500 tickets were pre-sold for the benefit, with more sold at the door.

Morris, who lost parts of all four limbs when he stepped on an improvised explosive device, was the guest of honor at the Friday "Unstoppable Event." The theme of the night sought to highlight the progress he has made, from lying in a hospital bed in the days after the accident to recently walking on prosthetic legs in a 5K in New York City.

"We just want to tell everybody thanks," Morris said. "I know there's been so many people that donated, I can't begin to get to it all."

His girlfriend Danielle Kelly also addressed the crowd.

"More than donations, we want to say thank you. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers and support that you've shown us," she said. "It's just awesome to see everyone pull together and support and be the foundation for Taylor and I as we are trying to get better and come back to the Cedar Valley."

The benefit was conceived by Morris' siblings Claire, Riley and Molly Morris, who organized it with help from their aunt Cindy Johnson and cousin-in-law Renae Hockemeyer.

"I feel awesome," Molly Morris said as streams of people entered the Pipac Center. "Look at the turnout. It's wonderful to see our community pull together like this."

Organizers said over 400 businesses donated items that were auctioned at the event. The Pipac Center's use was also donated, as was all the food and beer served.

Amvets Post 49 Color Guard members started the evening off, bringing the flag to the front of the hall.

"We're very honored to be here," Cedar Falls City Councilman and Color Guard member Tom Hagarty said. "Usually we're needed for funerals. To do something like this is a real privilege."

Iowa wrestling Olympic champion Dan Gable was the event's keynote speaker.

"We've got a young man here who's got his whole life to live," he said. "And he's going to do it well."