Both the Owensville and Belle communities came together over Labor Day weekend to raise more than $27,000 in a GoFundMe account by Tuesday for the Reven and Samantha Newbound family.

A boating accident on the Gasconade River on Sept. 1 killed both Reven Newbound and 7-year-old Avery DeBoeuf. Samantha Newbound and the couple’s three remaining children were seriously injured and remain hospitalized. A family friend also on the boat was moderately injured.

Samantha Newbound’s friends Hailey Barch and Miranda Albrecht, as well as cousin Lindsey Gates have combined forces to assist the family both financially and with after-hospital care. Barch opened the GoFundMe account under the name “Fundraiser for Samantha Newbound” on Sept. 2 and set the goal to raise $20,000 to help with expenses. By Monday night, the account had already surpassed its goal.

A local fund was opened on Monday at Maries County Bank by Samantha Newbound’s grandparents.

“Anyone can go into any branch of The Maries County Bank and tell them ‘The Newbound Family Fund.’ They will know what you’re talking about and the money will be put there,” Gates said. “There will be a benefit on Nov. 9 at the White Mule. We don’t have all the details lined out yet, but we will.”

While the family resides in Owensville, Reven Newbound’s ties to Belle go back to the Class of 2012 as a Belle High School alumni. The couple’s friends and family have already arranged a bake sale and fifty/fifty raffle.

“At the Belle Fall Festival there will be a bake sale and fifty/fifty raffle that all proceeds will be donated back to the family,” Gates said.

The communities have contributed to more than just the family’s finances.

Gates added that the couple attends Grace City Church in Owensville, and their church family has started a meal train for when Samantha Newbound and the children return home.

“The Belle High School graduating class of 2012 that Reven was in, they are all pitching in as well,” Gates said. “They can contact me to offer to help. If I don’t know the answer I can figure it out.”

Gates’s number is 573-872-0717.

The Newbound children attend school in Owensville. Gasconade County R-2 Superintendent Jeri Kay Hardy, also a friend of the Newbound family, said on Tuesday that counseling services are available for Avery’s classmates and those of her siblings.

“We have counseling set up today (Tuesday),” Hardy said. “We met with teachers this morning and Hermann Hospital and Compass have sent some councilors to help out as needed (Tuesday). Any thoughts are greatly appreciated, for teachers, staff, and siblings that are still here.”

The youngest daughter’s preschool has offered support and assistance for the remainder of the school year.

Maries County R-2 Superintendent Dr. Lenice Basham said on Tuesday that councilors are also available for students and families.

“The elementary councilor notified classroom teachers that if a child or parent contacts them they do have the councilor available this week,” Basham said.

The Colter Barrett Foundation has offered to assist the family with Avery’s funeral arrangements.

“There are no funeral arrangements available at this time,” Gates said. “They are going to start trying to plan this week sometime, but I am not 100 percent sure with Sam not being home.”

Gates said while still hospitalized, the family is doing better.

“Sam and (son) had to have surgery, but everyone is doing good as far as they can expect them to be,” Gates said. “We have had so many people call and offer hospital beds, you name it, we have had it offered to us. The community has offered every ounce of help that they can.”

As of Tuesday morning, the Newbound family did not know about the GoFundMe funds or the local account opened on their behalf.

“We are going to wait until she is rested to bring up anything about the GoFundMe,” Gates said. “I cannot express my gratitude to anyone and everyone for Sam. I cannot express my gratitude for the texts, calls and prayers. We can’t say thank you enough. I know some people who were there when the accident happened and they are taking it very, very hard. They need prayers, too.”