LW East Students Support Injured Hockey Player, GoFundMe Created

FRANKFORT, IL — Lincoln-Way East students wore their favorite jerseys to school Thursday to show their support for senior Payton Bruns. Bruns, who plays hockey with the Chicago Young Americans, was seriously injured in a game Sept. 29, the school said.

While going after a loose puck, Bruns slid out of control and into the board with his head down, the school said. Bruns broke his C5 and C6 vertebrae.

Students and school teams are all taking pictures in their jerseys and posting it using #PB83 and #paytonstrong83. According to the school, students also had poster boards out during lunch for all students to leave Bruns a note of encouragement.

Bruns has played hockey with the Orland Park Vikings in the past, and the organization has created a GoFundMe for the family. The GoFundMe has already raised $38,044 out of a $25,000 goal. According to the organization's Facebook page, Bruns is speaking and has movement in his arms and legs.

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