Injured Quarterback, A Manasquan Teen, Inspires The Community

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — Aaron Van Trease, the high school quarterback injured last month in a home game for Holmdel's Saint John Vianney, has a lot of people in his corner.

The 18-year-old senior is still in the hospital in New Brunswick, recovering from a spinal injury he suffered during a play in the Sept. 23 game.

And a lot of love is being sent his way - whether from fundraisers, school support or, lately, words of encouragement from some NFL stars.

He just got a video greeting from several NFL greats who wanted to make sure Aaron knew the football world was concerned for him and rooting for him. The full video can be found on the Saint John Vianney Facebook site.

The school thanked Tiki Barber, Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Brian Baldinger, Chad Brown, Kurt Warner and Rob Gronkowski for all their words of encouragement to the school's quarterback.

Barber told Aaron all the support of family and friends is flowing his way.

Van Trease is a football player, Barber said. "And you know what it is to go through adversity and fight through it," Barber told him.

Local news stations have focused on Aaron's story too.

Here's a link to a video from News 12 New Jersey about him. And his parents also spoke to CBS News New York to express their appreciation for all the "overwhelming support" for their son.

He's been "a pleasure to raise over these 18 years," his mother Debra told the news station. "It breaks our heart to see him like this right now, but he will . . . he will come through," she said in the interview.

Back at Saint John Vianney, the school just posted a picture of a mural painted by Jaclyn Agnello's art class in honor of Van Trease. Agnello is a former student there. You can see the bold, graphic outdoor wall mural on the school's Facebook site. And T-shirts with Aaron's #18 can be purchased there too. Former New York Giant Leonard Marshall spoke to the football team last week, according to the school's Facebook site.

In the Manasquan area there are a multitude of local fundraisers to help the Van Trease family with medical expenses for Aaron, their only child.

Neighbor Lindsay Scollo had started a GoFundMe site a couple of weeks ago. It now has raised over $146,000. And she said many of the donations are coming from high schools throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties.

She said on Friday that she has been amazed and grateful for the support shown to the family - support that she said has brought the community together in many ways.

"People are really rooting for him. Aaron has lots of great people in his corner," Scollo said.

She mentioned a few fundraisers in which the establishments will donate portions of proceeds to the Van Trease family. Here are some upcoming dates:

• On Monday, Oct. 10, locations of Tacoholics from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• On Oct. 15, Jimmy's Cucina in Brielle.

Also, on Oct. 7 Bubbakoos Burritos in Manasquan raised funds all day, Scollo said.

Debi's Signs in Lacey donated vinyl football helmet logos and vinyl car stickers in support of Aaron, she said.

Scollo added that batch in Manasquan, a coffee shop, had been selling special football-shaped cookies decorated with "AVT 18" from Sand & Sugar in Spring Lake to support the cause.

She said Asylum Sports Center Print Shop in Wall is also involved in supplying fundraising merchandise. The T-shirt has the word FAMILY, she said, harking back to Aaron's words, 'Forget About Me; I Love You."

And teams in the Shore conference are also showing their support for the family and for Vianney.

Manchester recently raised $1,100 at a "touchdown bucket" fundraiser that usually goes toward team expenses but this time went to the Van Trease family.

And there are other events planned:

• The Manasquan Football Club has a special collection on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 1 p.m. at the home game against Holmdel for an Aaron Van Tease fund.
• The Point Pleasant Boro football team is hosting a car wash to raise funds for the family. The car wash is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 16 at ME Sabosik Associates, 2319 Bridge Ave.

Scollo said the storeowners in Manasquan have let her put up flyers for the Jimmy's Cucina event in their windows - just another example of the community coming together.

"They're helping to keep Aaron at the forefront of everyone's thoughts and prayers," she said.