Benefit helps cyclist hurt in crash
“You could just feel it in the crowd,” said one attendee at an April 29 benefit for a critically injured young man from Medford.
The Faribault Eagles Club was filled to the brim as 1,000 people filed through the reception line on Saturday to tell young Conrad Blome how good he looks after surviving a tragic motorcycle crash last Sept. 10.
Conrad spent nearly six months in a special care unit at the Hennepin County Medical Center. “He is indeed a walking miracle,” said a longtime family friend.
Conrad was thrown from his motorcycle and had it fall on his head. He suffered serious head and brain injuries.
The event was also a time to consume some outstanding food and a time to participate in silent and live auctions.
Conrad’s father Jamey, mother Renae, and brothers Carter and Casen, attended the event, as did both sets of grandparents, Tom and Doreen Blome of Blooming Prairie, and Vicki and Don Skillestad of Kenyon, and many other relatives and friends.
Final figures were not in at press times, but organizers estimate about $100,000 was raised.
Jamey Blome and Curt McKinney, who flew in from Cocoa Beach, Fla., shared some fun outdoor stories before they both participated in silent and live auctions. McKinney was on the winning end of many of the auction items.
Many exciting hunting and fishing trips were auctioned off, with one of the final trips of the evening drawing a bid of $16,000.
Many of the visitors who came to congratulate Conrad on his recovery were “just amazed.” One of his ICU nurses even attended the special event.
Taking time to answer a few questions, Conrad said it was “nice to see everybody.” He said he was looking forward to celebrating his 22nd birthday on Monday, May 15.
Asked if he recalled the date of his accident, he quickly replied, “Sept. 10, 2022.”
Conrad said he was busy on most days and loved to go shopping when he could. He also said he plays games with family and friends.
Conrad said he loved to play board games with his grandmother Doreen, also called “Sarge” by those who know her best. Who gave her that strong military-like tag? It was none other than Doreen herself, said Conrad with a laugh.