Luke Pappert was an energetic, happy, kind, inquisitive little boy, always bouncing around and smiling. He loved the Army and wanted to be a soldier. He could often be found wearing his Army uniform and driving his tank around, with his little sister and his toy snake, Raindrop, as his sidekicks.
One of Luke’s other favorite things to do was fish. On September 12, 2020, six-year-old Luke was fishing with his dad, his grandfather, his six-year-old best friend, and his best friend’s father, when their boat was struck by another boater traveling at a high rate of speed.
This tragic accident took the life of Luke’s grandfather, Jim, and injured Luke, his father, and his best friend. Luke was left with a severe traumatic brain injury. He is unable to communicate and unable to move on his own.
Luke has always been a fighter and he never gives up. Believing that Luke’s story is not done, his family is fighting to bring Luke back and give him the life that he deserves. He is undergoing extensive treatment to try and wake up his brain, rebuild neurologic pathways, and create new neurologic pathways.
Bottle and can collections are ongoing to help the family with expenses on this long journey. Community members can bring returnable bottles and cans to Five Cents Fast, 650 Lake Avenue, Hilton, and tell them it’s for Luke. Five Cents Fast will redeem donations for six cents and deposit the funds into a special account for the family. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations can also be dropped off in a box at St. George’s Church, 635 Wilder Road, Hilton, or in front of the garage at 80 Carrie Marie Lane, Hilton. To make special pickup arrangements, email bottlesforluke@gmail.com.
Monetary donations can be made directly to the family through the GoFundMe.com campaign “Help 3 generations of Papperts.”
The family is grateful to everyone who has contributed thus far and thanks the community for their continuing support.
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