ALEX SMITH Staff Writer

Photo credit: PC Lions Softball Twitter

On Oct. 16, Gilbert Ibarra, senior lacrosse player and nursing major Piedmont College, was injured in an ATV accident. Since the accident, the Ibarra family and community at Piedmont has seen an outpouring of support.

Sarah Walker, senior nursing major and softball player, is a classmate and close friend of Ibarra.

“I met Gilbert when we were freshmen here at Piedmont,” said Walker. “We were both nursing majors so almost all of our classes were together. It was the Sunday night of the accident when I got a phone call from a friend that informed me that he had been in an accident and was in the hospital. I got the full story about what happened the next day when I visited him in the hospital.”

Walker was able to visit Ibarra a couple of times with a few fellow classmates. As word spread of his accident, the community at Piedmont went into action doing what family does best.

“Many people from Piedmont have gone to visit Gilbert in the hospital,” said Walker.

There was also a GoFundMe account created shortly after the accident to raise money for his medical bills. FCA also hosted a prayer vigil, which brought together the school as a whole to pray for Gilbert, share stories about Gilbert and write on posters or write him letters.

“Most importantly, everyone has come together to support him, whether in prayer or just giving someone a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk to,” said Walker.

Just the GoFundMe page on its own is a testament to a community moved by circumstance. Donations came from students, alumni and even families of student-athletes here at Piedmont. Over $12,000 has been raised to help the Ibarra family with medical bills in a time of need.

“If Piedmont had been a bigger school, I don’t believe that as much money would have been raised as fast as it was,” said Walker. “Because it is a small campus, everyone is like a family, which is why people didn’t think twice when it came to helping in any way they could. When something as devastating as this happens on a small campus, everyone comes together no matter if there were differences before.”

If you are interested in helping out the Ibarra family, please visit bit.ly/gilbertmedical. Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated. The size of Piedmont College is not a reflection of the outpouring of love and care that has come from this unfortunate situation.