LEXINGTON — Peter Them wants the Lexington community to be there for members of the Cramer family for the days, months and years to come.
On Sept. 13, tragedy struck the Lexington family when a house exploded in the 4000 block of Hook Road in Springfield Township.
The explosion killed Krista Cramer, 47, and injured two others — including Cramer’s husband, Troy, who was burned and transported to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
The husband and wife were in the basement of the residence at 4031 Hook Road when the blast occurred.
Along with her husband, Krista leaves behind three children; Trevor, Nate and Madeline.
“Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the Cramers and we wish Troy a speedy recovery,” said Them, the Minutemen’s boys soccer coach and Lexington village administrator.
“Whatever the kids need, hopefully we can be there to help support them in not only the short term, but the days, months and even years to come.”
Lex launches gift card collection through Sept. 23
Earlier this week, the Lexington boys soccer program announced via its Facebook page it would begin collecting gift cards for the Cramer family.
Gift cards will be collected until the conclusion of Lexington’s home match against Mount Vernon on Monday, Sept. 23. Those who would prefer to make a monetary donation can send one via Venmo to Kim Perkins (@Kimberly-Perkins-53).
Perkins, Ashley Porter or Dawn Pigg can be contacted for more details or to answer any questions. Suggested gift cards include those for restaurants, food, gas, groceries and coffee.
Them coached Trevor and Nate in soccer during their years at Lexington High School. Both boys have since graduated. Their sister, Madeline, is in her senior year at Lex and plays for the volleyball team.
“Krista volunteered for any and everything she could,” he said, “whether it was fundraising for us as the program or organizing team meals or getting the boys fed on long road trips.”
The Lex soccer coach said even after her sons graduated, Krista maintained relationships with families in the program and continued to support in any way she could.
“She was always one of the first ones to step up, reach out and say ‘Hey, what can we do and how can we do it?'” Them said. “She was always willing to do what was needed for the programs and the kids in general.”
Additionally, Them said a fundraiser has been created by Alisha Moore via *spotfund, which can be found by clicking here. As of Thursday afternoon, people had already donated more than $42,000.
Clear Fork joins in fundraising effort
Shortly after Lexington launched its gift card collection, the Clear Fork Athletic Department and Colts boys soccer program joined the effort.
Them said Clear Fork coach Nate Gailey called him after seeing the Facebook post and asked, “What can we do?”
“He’s (Gailey) in the Air National Guard with Troy (Cramer), so he’s very familiar with him,” the Lex coach said.
When Clear Fork and Lexington met on the pitch Wednesday in Bellville, gift cards and monetary donations were collected at the stadium’s gates.
“We want this family (the Cramers) to know that the Clear Fork Valley is thinking of them, praying for them and supporting them,” Clear Fork boys soccer wrote on its Facebook page.
The gesture left Them at a loss for words, he said Wednesday during an interview with Richland Source.
“Soccer is a tight-knit community,” he said. “We all kind of know each other. We all interact in a lot of different ways. But for them to reach out and go above and beyond, it means a lot to not only myself, but the program and especially the Cramer family.”
Madison gathering donations through Oct. 1
The Madison Athletic Booster Club announced via its boys soccer Facebook page that it would begin collecting gift cards and monetary donations for the Cramers at the concession stand during each home varsity and JV match through Oct. 1.
The Rams travel to Lexington for a match Oct. 1. Madison plans to present donations to the Minutemen that evening.
“We want this family (the Cramers) to know that the Madison Rams and our community are thinking of them and want to help,” Madison boys soccer wrote on Facebook.
Them said it’s amazing to see how communities around Richland County have rallied to show love and support for the Cramers.
“It’s bigger than soccer,” he said. “It’s bigger than the game itself and that’s what’s important to me. That’s what I think is awesome.
“It’s just been fantastic to see that support at such a tragic time.”
