AVT 18 Kids Tops Raise Funds For Quarterback From Manasquan

MANASQUAN, NJ — "AVT." Those three letters, usually paired with the number 18, have become a symbol of this town's community spirit in support of high school football player Aaron Van Trease and his family.

Aaron's injury while playing for his Saint John Vianney High School team Sept. 23 has sparked an outpouring of emotional support - and financial support - to help his family during their son's recovery from the spinal injury.

The family's neighbor, Lindsay Scollo, got the ball rolling almost immediately after the accident with a GoFundMe site she set up.

Scollo keeps in touch with the family, and said they told her that their son is now out of the New Brunswick hospital he was taken to after the accident and is now at a top-level rehabilitation facility, where he is continuing his recovery.

She said his parents plan to put out a letter to the community soon, in part to express their thanks for all the support.

There have also been fundraising events at Aaron's high school, Saint John Vianney in Holmdel, and other forms of support, such as a mural drawn with his Lancer's AVT 18 number drawn on a wall at the school. And the private Catholic school has urged the community to pray for Aaron.

Businesses in his hometown of Manasquan have held fundraisers and have donated portions of proceeds from sales, too.

Now, Scollo has a new idea. She has partnered with Debi's Signs of Lacey in Ocean County to produce T-shirts and hoodies for the younger set with the AVT 18 logo. There are also adult sizes.

The sign store had donated AVT 18 stickers for helmets a few weeks ago. And when Scollo sought a place to order children's T-shirts, the owner, Debi Corino, agreed to take on the project. This adds to other outlets also supporting the cause with merchandise.

Now people can order smaller sized clothing to help the Van Trease cause at https://avt18.spiritsale.com/, Scollo said.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the family, Scollo said. Her young son is wearing a hoodie in the photo above.

Then at the Manasquan Turkey Run on Nov. 19, Scollo said an informal team of about 50 will make the mile-long walk to show more support for the Van Trease family wearing AVT gear.

"I am just amazed at all the support," Scollo said.

.