The Manitowoc community came out big for Jason and Tina Prigge last night (July 11th).
Outside of Digger Dave’s bar on Buffalo Street, hundreds gathered for PetSkull brewing beer, food trucks, and live music, all in support of the prominent Manitowoc couple.
Jason and Tina’s son Teak Prigge was also in attendance, and he was nothing short of overwhelmed by the support, likening it to “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“The first thing I thought when I saw that this fundraiser was being started and the GoFundMe, everything was just like George Bailey, you know?” he told Seehafer News. “I’m just so glad that they have done what they have done with their life and have made all these connections with all these people. It shows the power of positivity.”
Teak Prigge
He also gave an update on Tina to the crowd in attendance.
“My mom, I talked to her today,” he said to thunderous applause. “They have been trying to wake her up for the past couple of days, and finally last night I called…and they said they could put her on the phone.”
Amber Daugs of Grow it Forward also read a letter penned by Jason.
“At the scene of the accident, the first responders thought that Tina had died, her wounds were so extensive. However, because of an improvised tourniquet made from a bungee cord from my bike that a quick thinking Good Samaritan applied, she survived long enough for the helicopter first responders to work on her.
She has a long road to recovery. And is not out of the woods. She is still in ICU and lost two limbs. But in our 23 years together there is one fact that rings true, she is the strongest person I know.
Our lives are now altered forever, our means of making a living has stopped, and we are going to have to live with the reality that now exists.
It is hard to see a way forward.
In life, even if we do everything right, take all precautions, it can change in an instant by something that is out of our control.
Tina and I have chosen to live our lives doing our best to give back to the community we love. We don’t have much money, but it is obvious to me now that our riches lay elsewhere.
Please do me a favor, everyone, right now, stop what you are doing and look at all the people around you. All of you are unique and beautiful.
That is where our treasure lies. It’s in your eyes, and in the community that we love so much.
You are why we have chosen a purpose driven life. A life of love and kindness towards our neighbors. My hope that we can continue that mission.
The reason we chose the name Coolest Coast and put our own resources behind the movement was not because of the weather, it is because of you. We have the coolest people living here. A community is not buildings or streets, a community is people. You are all amazing people and we love you.
I’m overwhelmed by the support and kindness that you have all shown during this nightmare. I don’t know what the future will bring, but I do know that we live in the best community on the planet. And that gives me hope and strength.
Our road to recovery will be long, but because of you, we shall prevail.
There is a place in the back of my mind where I wasn’t sure that we could make an impact worthy of our goals. The love and support we have received in the past few days have squashed that doubt.
I’m in absolute awe of all of you.
We are so grateful for your love and support. It gives us hope and strength to carry on.
The one last favor I ask is that you keep this kindness going. We are all in this world together and you can make a difference.
Love each other, see past the petty differences of politics and worn out stereotypes and try to see what I see, the coolest people on the planet.
All of our love to all of you.
Thank you all for being amazing.
Jason”
Over $12,000 was collected for Jason and Tina last night.
