Community Holds Breakfast Fundraiser for Tyler Pollock

Three weeks ago, on May 7, 17-year-old Granby resident Tyler Pollock was struck by a car while crossing the street to meet friends at Salmon Brook Park.

Tyler was rushed to Hartford Hospital, where has he remained since that time in critical condition. 

Since Tyler’s accident, there has been an outpour of support for the Pollock family in town, and a pancake breakfast in his honor was held Saturday morning at the First Congregational Church of Granby. 

One of Tyler’s friends, Spenser Chicoine, 18, created a barbeque pit for his Eagle project last year and held a pancake breakfast to raise funds for the project. When the idea came up to hold an event to help the Pollock family, Spenser said he drew on his past experience and with help the event was pulled together in about two weeks. 

Spencer’s father Troy said the event “just took off” with help from the community and generous donations for the breakfast from local businesses, such as Costco, C&S Wholesale Grocers and Starbucks. All of the proceeds from the breakfast will go directly toward the Pollock family. 

“People have just been coming from everywhere,” Troy said. “It’s a beautiful thing.

Tyler’s father Seth agreed, said the outpouring of everyone has been amazing. 

“It’s unbelievable,” said Seth. “It’s beyond words.”

Seth said the help from Tyler’s friends and fellow students has been incredible.

“These kids are like my kids,” he said. 

Seventeen-year-old Meaghan Schultheis, a close friend of Tyler’s, lent a hand during the breakfast on Saturday morning. 

“Its been really hard,” she said. “I miss him a lot.”

Through everything that has happened, Meaghan said reading the blog the family has maintained on his status has been “very uplifting seeing how well he’s doing.”

“It’s really nice to see the whole town come out and help someone in need,” she said. 

Tyler is currently in the neuro-trauma intensive care unit at Hartford Hospital, Seth said. The next steps for Tyler are to start reducing the need for IV medication and to move to a patch for the pain. Seth said staff will also stress his respiratory system to make sure Tyler’s blood oxygen levels are maintained at the appropriate rate. If they are maintained, Seth said the respirator will be removed completely. 

Seth said maintaining the blog has been his therapy, and a way to “keep some sanity” through everything that has been going on. 

“He’s making tiny, tiny strides, but they are all in the right direction so far,” Seth said. 

This afternoon, after the breakfast concludes at 11 a.m., there will also be a ultimate frisbe tournament at Ahrens Park, called “Playing for Pollock.” 

The event will include frisbee, food, raffles and other activities.