ATHOL — Tuesday, Aug. 14, was a day that changed Javan Fox’s life forever. Riding his bicycle back from Tully Lake to his home on Main Street, Javan was caught in a torrential downpour that reduced visibility dramatically. Near Mt. Tully Kennels, the driver of a pickup truck was unable to see the teen and Javan didn’t see him. The result was a devastating accident that sent Javan to the hospital with head injuries, facial fractures, fractures to his vertebrae and a broken wrist. Initially, he was placed into a medically induced coma and put on a ventilator and subsequently spent a total of 99 days at UMass/Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.
Despite the horrific injuries, Javan told the Athol Daily News, “I have memories of that day every now and then. Those memories hurt me more than any physical pain could possibly hurt.”
Following the accident, individuals, businesses and organizations from around Athol worked to raise the money needed to help with Javan’s recovery. Now, as he works toward attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, Javan, who will be a senior at Athol High School, is doing something to give back to the community that rallied around him as he convalesced.
“I’m getting approximately 400 (bike) helmets for the students at ACES, the Athol Elementary School,” he told the Athol Daily News. “I’m trying to fundraise $14,000 so I can get those helmets, but if I get more money than I want, then I’m going to get extra helmets to pass out to the children in neighboring towns.”
Despite setting his goal high, Javan said, “Random people are donating to me. I’m to have the Scouts go to certain businesses and ask for them to donate. They’re going to hear my story, they’re going to see my picture, and they’re going to understand why I want these helmets. If I don’t raise all the money I need, I will go out of my way and pay with my own money if I have to.”
While he may do some shopping online, Javan said he and his fellow Scouts plan to visit local bike shops to seek direct donations of helmets. He said he began his campaign several weeks ago. Thus far, he said, he has raised in the vicinity of $2,000 toward his goal.
Javan’s mother, Devone Erbeck, said there are several ways to donate to the project. Donations can be sent through the Venmo app by entering @Devone-Erbeck and adding Javan’s Eagle Scout Project in the memo line. Checks made out to BSA Troop #8 Athol, with the same memo notation, may be mailed to Athol Pharmacy, c/o Devone Erbeck, 290 Main St., Athol MA 01331. Checks and helmets may also be dropped off at the pharmacy, which also has a collection jar on the counter.
Javan said among those contributing to his Eagle Scout project is Jason Hopkins, the driver of the pickup involved in the accident, who has pitched in $500. Another $250 has come from Javan’s employer, Peter Whitmore Horse Farm in Orange.
Current plans call for helmets to be distributed on Aug. 26 during Fourth Friday festivities on Main Street in Athol.
Troop #8 Scout Master Jason Robinson describes Javan as “determined.”
“Sometimes he’s very determined about things,” he said. “I had him in Scouts back when I was involved in Cub Scouts as well. I was the assistant Cub Master for his Cub Scout pack, Pack #18, and he was in my Webelos troop all the way through. So, I’ve known him for quite a while.”
Robinson said Javan is getting a boost from his fellow Scouts.
“We’ve got Scouts already collecting from people who are donating helmets and donating money toward helmets,” he said.
He also explained that Javan needs to complete all aspects of his project by his 18th birthday, which is in December.
“This is why he’s very determined,” said Robinson, “because he has to complete it. But that being said, there is an amount of wiggle room to it. Understanding leadership at this age, the package we have that is designed for … his Eagle project has a couple different parts to it.
“One is his proposal and what he wants to do. Then there’s a section on how he’s getting there, how he’s doing it, it needs to be filled out while he’s doing it. There’s also a ‘lessons learned’ packet, and what you had to change, and did you make your goal?
“As long as he gets to a point where he gives out a bunch of helmets and raises awareness on why kids should wear a bike helmet, then if the North Quabbin Coalition, who sponsored him, decides he did a good enough job, then the project is completed. He doesn’t need to specifically hit the $14,000 mark because other things are taken into consideration. If the Coalition is happy with his project, then he passes.”
And Javan is, to use that word again, determined to see that that happens.
“This is really important to me,” said Javan. “I want to give kids helmets so they can make the decision whether or not to wear one. I will encourage them to wear one. I will go out of my way to help because that’s just the kind of person I am.”
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com