Spaghetti feed raises funds for family

HARRINGTON - Around 120-150 people came to show their support for a local family who suffered an accident in Dec. 2022 through a Booster Club-sponsored spaghetti feed held at the school cafeteria Saturday, Feb. 4.

Gary Cox and Carol Richey relocated to the area with their five children last year due to growing safety concerns in Spokane and what they deemed better schooling locally.

"Our son was getting into trouble in the bigger schools," Cox said. "We needed a change, somewhere safer."

The couple moved to the area a little over a year ago and have fallen in love with the community.

"Coming from the city, when people are nice, it's not always genuine," Cox said. "But here, the community comes together to help one another, and they didn't have to."

Cox, a semi-driver, was driving in rough conditions over Snoqualmie Pass when his accident occurred. He had been putting chains on his tires when another vehicle lost control.

Cox broke his pelvis in three places hen the accident occurred . As a result, he will be in a wheelchair for up to 10 more weeks.

He will have about a year of recovery in total, as he could use a walker for up to eight months after getting out of the wheelchair.

Cox said a 20-year emergency doctor and a ten-year firefighter were off duty and were the two that stopped to help him.

"I am lucky to be here, "Cox said. "Just very thankful I made it home."

Richey is thankful for the support and happy that Cox is home now.

She said Cox works so hard for their family and is grateful for the small community they moved to.

"He works so hard to provide for us," Richey said. "This was so unexpected, and the community has been great."

Booster club president Jon Evans organized the event and said he just wanted to help the family. Paula Harrington, Cassie Nixon and Sally Carpenter served spaghetti. Britney Wagner and Rachelle Morton took donations and raffle tickets.

"This turnout is great," Richey said. "We are just so thankful."

The family has a GoFundMeUp in honor of Gary, titled "Stronger than anyone I know." Donations have totaled $2,180 out of a $10,000 goal and is still up for donations.

"We did not expect this many people to come together for us," Richey said." But we're making it through it."