KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Community continues to rally around Swank family

Community continues to rally around Swank family

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SPOKANE, Wash. - Monday, Valley Christian High School students, faculty and parents continued to rally around the Swank family by holding a blood drive in of honor Drew Swank, the football player killed after taking a hard hit in a Friday night game.

Drew Swank took a hard hit during a Friday night football game

Drew Swank, 17, took the hit during a Friday night football game in Washtucna. Swank was able to walk off the field to the sideline where he later collapsed. He was taken to Sacred Heart where he later died.

At the blood drive Monday, students said donating blood helps them through the grieving process after losing Drew.

"Last week was pretty hard... this week everybody's feeling up to doing things again," said Katie, a student at Valley Christian. "Doing this, it just helps in the grieving process, just to do something again."

The blood drive at Valley Christian is just one of many events being held in honor of the player and in a showing of support for his family. Over the weekend, Valley Christian students held three different car washes around the city to raise money for the Swank family. Students were able to raise $5,500.

Students say aside from all the activities they have planned, they also have donation jars at several area businesses and add that the Spokane community has shown a lot of support for the Swank family.

"People have been really generous and it's really cool to see that," said another Valley Christian student Meaghan.

The next event will be hosted by Washtucna High School. The school is going to host a benefit dinner for the Swank family on Tuesday, October 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Washtucna High School.

Drew was laid to rest Friday at Saint Joseph's Cemetery in Spokane.