Teammates Return To School, Community Continues Support

Dunbar High School students returned to school for the first time today as senior baseball player Travis Gaines continues his recovery after a spring break beach accident left him with no feeling from the chest-down last week.

Dunbar’s principal Betsy Rains said she started the school day with an announcement about what happened.

Counselors were available to help students and teachers cope with the news.

“Everybody is struggling to understand how something like this could happen and why something like this would happen,” Rains said.

The Gaines’ story continues to draw support from complete strangers around the community.

Lisa Thompson, the floral manager at the Kroger on Brannon Crossing, is heading up an ice cream fundraiser in front of the store this weekend to raise money for the cause.

Her and other Kroger employees said it’s all part of helping your neighbors.

“You know, people shop with us and trust in us doing the right thing so we want to turn around and do the right thing for the community as well,” said store manager Jeff Sallee.

The fundraiser will be held in front of the Brannon Crossing Kroger from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.