Supporting the Newells: Friends of wreck victims form online community
By Melanie Davis
melanie@highcountrymedia.net

The community is rallying tremendous support around a family rocked by tragedy just seven days ago. Upon returning from a Thanksgiving holiday with family in South Carolina, the Newell family vehicle was struck by a man police suspect of driving under the influence.

The family had cut their trip to South Carolina short in order to return for the Appalachian State University game on Saturday morning.

“This is such a tragedy for our family. We are all so very close and had a great Thanksgiving together,” said Monica Isbell, Drew’s first cousin.

The collision killed Andrew “Drew” Newell, 22, and left his father, Brian Newell, in critical condition.

Local residents wasted no time is offering support and seeking means to honor a family that contributed to the community in many ways.

Online groups began forming the same day, with two separate groups on Facebook consisting of more than 1,000 members combined, in memory of Drew Newell.

The creator of one of the Facebook groups gave the reason for the memorial as, “I know that not a single one of us are able to put into words how much this God-sent, wonderful and miraculous person has affected each and everyone of our lives. Maybe by making this page it will help me and you reflect and remember how much he meant to us, and the others that he touched that we never had the chance to meet. That is why I am expressing my love and admiration for my Drew, your Drew and the Drew that he would have been to so many others.”

The sites allow friends and family members to share memories, and many post comments addressed directly to Drew. One common denominator found amongst the near 100 posts is an appreciation for a “smile that lit up a room.”

The Facebook groups also allow Drew’s friends in Steamboat, Colo., where he lived last winter and spring, to communicate with his friends in Watauga County.

“I’m halfway across the country and knew Drew very little compared to most and I can’t go to sleep, wake up or even walk around without thinking of him and what an absolute perfect human being he was. This is such a tragic ending to a wonderful life,” posts Bryna Mollinger of Steamboat. A true child of the High Country, Drew spent many hours on the slopes of local ski resorts. He lived out a dream by spending those few months n Colorado.

Locally, former baseball teammates of Drew, a 2004 Watauga High graduate, have met with the current baseball team to offer suggestions for honoring him through the sport in which he excelled. Together they have decided to retire Drew’s number 12 jersey and name left field, his position, in memory of him.

The students and faculty of WHS are undertaking many projects in relation to this tragedy. Students are participating in the Santa’s Toy Box project in memory of Drew and in honor of Brian. The project is a non-profit effort to ensure underprivileged children receive Christmas gifts, and has been a passionate project for Brian. “He and [organizer] Gene Swift work tirelessly making sure that every child in this county has toys at Christmas. They spend all their time putting bikes and toys together for weeks ahead of time and setting up all the different toys. I always remember him with a Santa hat on his head, a holiday tie, and, of course, a big smile,” Meg Andrews, a family friend, said.

The WHS faculty is collecting monetary donations to give a one-time scholarship to a 2008 graduate in Drew’s name. Each senior will have the opportunity to write an essay on the topic of making healthy and safe life choices that affect the student’s life and those around him or her.

Donations to the scholarship in any amount can be dropped off at Watauga High School prior to Dec. 7. Checks should be made payable to WHS and document Newell scholarship in the memo field.

Drew’s sister, Jackie Newell, was also involved in the accident. She was treated and released that night, though she will have some physical recovery from facial injuries. Jackie is a 2007 WHS graduate, who played volleyball and softball during her time at WHS. She is currently a freshman at Appalachian State University.

The current WHS volleyball team is supporting the family, by actively gathering funds to assist them with the financial burdens of this accident.

Those who want to assist the family may send contributions to High County Bank, Attention: John Brubaker, Newell Family Fund, 149 Jefferson Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Sallie Newell, Drew’s mother, was also involved in the accident. She sustained minor injuries and was released that night. She, Jackie, Brianne Thurman, the couple’s eldest child, and other family and friends, have kept constant vigil by Brian’s side during his slow recovery at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tenn.

Family members report Brian, initially listed in critical condition and since upgraded to serious, has now been taken off the ventilator and is breathing on his own. Doctors have been able to wake him briefly, and Brian is responding slowly by squeezing family members hands, reacting to voices and some movement. The effects of sedation are still present. A blog has been created to update friends on Brian’s condition. It is www.newellreport.blogspot.com, and was created by Jim Bob Morton, a friend of Drew’s and the Newell family.

Funeral arrangements for Drew have not been finalized at this time. Austin and Barnes Funeral Home of Boone is serving the Newell family, and online condolences may be made at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be made to Boone United Methodist Youth Ministry, 471 New Market Blvd., Boone, N.C. 28607. Drew was very active with the youth ministry, volunteering 120 hours through the course of one high school semester as an intern with Vern Collins, the youth minister. “From the moment I met Drew, I knew that there was something special about him; there was something that set him apart from his peers. I came to understand that it was Drew’s ability to love the people around him and make them feel like they mattered,” Colins said.