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Fundraising underway after Pleasant Plains football player injured

A football player from Pleasant Plains remains hospitalized after collapsing on the sideline during a weekend game.

Jayden Veesenmeyer, a senior, was walking off the field when he fell to the ground. Emergency medical personnel were called over. An ambulance then took him to a local hospital.

A Go Fund Me page was set up for his family. The page indicates he underwent surgery for a subdural hematoma. That’s a condition where blood collects between the skull and the brain and is often caused by a head injury.

"Jayden’s mom is with him now and will be for the duration of Jayden’s fight to survive," according to a statement on the page.
"We would like to raise money so Jayden’s mom does not have to worry about lost work and mounting bills. This young man is very special to a lot of people, most importantly his mother. She needs to be there for him and we need to be there for them."

The game against Riverton was suspended in the second quarter. It will be completed at a later time.

Pleasant Plains postponed its homecoming parade over the weekend and counselors were made available for students.

Update from Village President Craig Held:

As some of you may already know, the Pleasant Plains School District has rescheduled the homecoming parade to take place here in the Village this Friday, September 30 at 4:30pm.

The parade route for Friday has been modified to allow for minimal traffic disruption along State Route 125. The parade will take place exclusively south of State Route 125, and the parade line up will take place on W. 4th St. between the park and village hall.

The highlighted route will be the new route for this Friday's homecoming parade. Due to the narrow streets and alleys in this part of the village, I am asking any parade spectators to avoid parking along the parade route to allow for safe passage of the parade as it proceeds through the village.

I want to thank everyone in the community for supporting the Veesenmeyer family, and I hope everyone will come out and show support at the parade and football game this Friday.

Note:

A candlelight vigil for Jayden and his family will be held in the parking lot of HSHS St. John's Women's and Children's Clinic, 400 N. Ninth St., at 8:30 p.m. tonight (Tuesday Sept. 27th). It will be led by St. John's Lutheran Church pastor, the Rev. Greg Busboom.

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