Benny Westcott
Dozens of people from around the state arrived at Sankey Park on the afternoon of Tuesday, February 15, to support 13-year-old Sweet Home Junior High student Gavin Doner, who was jumped and beaten by a group of older teens near a Sweet Home High School parking lot on Feb. 9.
(Police have arrested five people suspected of participating in the incident, including 18-year-old Dakota Alan Ray House, plus four juveniles: a 15-year-old Sweet Home girl, and a 14-year-old boy, 15-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy, all from Albany. All face third-degree assault and disorderly conduct charges; House faces other charges, as well. Doner was treated for his injuries at an area hospital.)
More than a dozen flashy cars and Sweet Home police and fire vehicles greeted Doner, who loves automobiles. Sleek and stylish rides from the Toxic Mopar Challengers and Chargers of Oregon and the Salem chapter of the All-American Camaro and Firebird Association filled Sankey’s parking lot.
Supporters came from as far away as the Portland metropolitan area.
Doner received gifts and got up close and personal with the cars on display.
Chance Bryant, who helped put together the rally after seeing a video of the attack on social media, drove with a handful of others from Oregon City.
“I wanted him to feel that there are still good people out there,” Bryant said. “There are still people willing to drive 110 miles for this.”
Bryant said his uncle, who suffers from cerebral palsy, also put up with harassment and even came close to suicide. Bryant himself was bullied growing up.
“No one should have to go through that,” he said.
Zach Tavares of Sublimity gave Doner some Hot Wheels.
“I heard he needed the support, and I heard he liked Hot Wheels,” Tavares said. “I don’t know the family, but I wanted to come out and say something and make a difference. Kids getting bullied is an issue – especially kids with autism, something they can’t help.”
Robert Korkow of Albany let Doner rev up his 2006 Ford Mustang GT.
“If you see something like this, you’ve got to come out and show some support,” Korkow said. “We all love cars, and when you can make someone’s day with your car, that makes it all worth it.”
Gavin’s mom, Katie Doner, was at the rally, where she and her husband, Cameron, were interviewed by Portland’s KGW and Eugene’s KEZI.
“I’m super-grateful for all the support that we’ve gotten, especially from Sweet Home, but from everybody,” she said. “I’ve gotten messages, and [Gavin] has gotten gifts. It blows my mind.”
She said her son “likes how people are here to support him and they’re praying for him, and that there’s love out there.”