Taylor Alspaugh (Whitmer HS - Class of '23)

Hello, everyone. I have started this fundraiser for my sweet, smart and brave niece, Taylor. She was a tragic victim of a drive-by shooting outside the Whitmer High School football game in Toledo, Ohio, on Friday, October 7th, 2022.

Taylor's story is one that every parent dreads becoming a reality. The story you never think will ever involve your child.

As Taylor and a friend left the football game with only six minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, at least 12 shots were fired toward the stadium and crowd. These carefree girls were walking toward my sister-in-law's car, ready to go home after an exhilarating game against their high school's biggest rival, Central Catholic. Taylor was shot in her right shoulder, the bullet entering from her back and shattering her clavicle (collarbone) before becoming lodged near her lung.

Taylor's mother, Kelly, was there waiting to pick up her daughter after what should have been a routine Friday night at school, cheering the team under the bright football lights. The band was still playing when the crowd recognized the sounds of gunfire, sending children and instruments streaming out of the stands. The players, refs and coaches all started to run for cover, and anyone who could escape the bleachers huddled on the ground to avoid the gunfire. Parents threw themselves on top of their young children.

Kelly had her worst nightmare unfold before her eyes. Taylor was hit. Her baby, now a young woman just starting her Senior year. Taylor's father, Jeff, was away in Idaho for an annual hunting trip.

Taylor was rushed to St. Vincent's Hospital, known locally for its experience with gunshot victims. Despite the shock and magnitude of the chaos in the ambulance, Kelly asked to be taken to Toledo Hospital because that is the only place covered by their insurance. How horrific that the health insurance burden on American families put those issues at the forefront, in their time of greatest medical need.

Thankfully, Taylor had successful surgery on Sunday, October 9th, 2022, to remove the bullet and put a metal plate in place to help heal her collarbone. And so the journey to recovery begins. Hopefully, the plate will be removed in six months, and Taylor can start the process of physical therapy.

So now they breathe. Deep breaths to still their nerves and focus on the next steps as Taylor, her parents and her two sisters, Emily and Kate, start to heal emotionally from this searing disruption to their lives.

I am requesting donations on behalf of the Alspaugh family (to go to them directly) to support the excess medical bills not covered by their insurance. Any residual funds will be used to help Taylor when she graduates in 2023 and heads off to college, as she has already been accepted to BGSU and Grand Canyon State.

Thank you for taking the time to give!

Video link to local NEWS coverage