By SAVANNAH BARR

s.barr@bradfordera.com

A GoFundMe has been organized to help support the family of Jesse Alexander. The 16-yearold lost his life following a tragic ATV crash on East Warren Road in Bradford Township on April 17.

Alexander, who was a passenger on the ATV, was one of two teens injured when the ATV failed to stop before driving into the roadway, striking the side of a passing vehicle. He succumbed to his injuries Monday. In a final act of selflessness, Alexander became an organ donor, saving the lives of others even in the wake of his own passing.

Those who knew and loved him said Alexander’s death will leave a hole that will never be filled.

‘Jesse was an incredible young man who truly made the most of life,’ said Kira Schine, organizer of the GoFundMe and close family friend. ‘He was kind to everyone he met and always had a joke ready to make people laugh.’

Alexander was a young person with joie de vivre. His love for adventure often found him outdoors — riding ATVs and dirt bikes, hiking, fishing or camping with friends and family. But more than his hobbies, Schine said, it was Alexander’s big personality and caring heart that left a lasting mark.

‘He deeply loved his family — he had the best mom, dad and siblings anyone could ask for — and that love showed in everything he did,’ she said.

Schine and her husband considered Alexander to be like one of their own children.

Now, with his family facing the unthinkable, Schine hopes the community can come together to help with funeral

Community… page A-8

Jesse Alexander, 16, died Monday as a result of injuries sustained in an ATV accident on April 17 in Bradford Township. A GoFundMe has been organized to assist the family with his final arrangements.

GoFundMe expenses and the cost of a headstone.

“All funds will go directly toward Jesse’s celebration of life and a gravestone to honor him,” Schine said. “These are the final ways we can show our love and say goodbye to someone who meant so much to so many.”

So far, community members have responded with compassion and overwhelming generosity. As of press time, more than $20,000 of the $25,000 goal had been met.

“We have been so blessed that Jon and Linda shared their amazing son with us all these years,” said Schine. “Now, more than ever, we need to show what it means to be a community.”

In addition to donations, neighbors, friends and Bradford Area School District have stepped in with offers to help check in on the family and provide support to grieving students.

“It’s clear how deeply loved Jesse was — and still is,” said Schine. “Now it’s time for us, as a community, to rally around Jon, Linda and the entire family and remind them they’re not alone.”

A public celebration of life will be held in Alexander’s honor from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department. For more information, see his obituary printed in today’s edition.

Although Alexander is gone, his light is not diminished, as Schein said that every memory they have of Jesse will live in their hearts forever.

“Some of our favorites are all the campfires and riding trips he took with our son, picking leeks in the woods, or his weekly request for Mississippi pot roast,” said Schine. “That kid could eat us out of house and home — he always had a huge appetite and an even bigger heart.”

The fundraiser can be found by searching “In loving memory of Jesse Alexander” at gofundme. com.