Crowds of people filled Griffin Farm for the Tyler Bova benefit. The community is rallying behind Tyler as he continues to recover in Utah. “We love them and we miss our friends and we wish Tyler the very best,” said Amy Walker, a close family friend. People from across the community chowed down, competed in a corn hole tournament and purchased raffle tickets to raise money for Tyler. Close friends hope the momentum behind “Built Tyler Tough” never slows down. “Even though everyone’s following him on social media, there’s almost 7,000 followers, I think you know when he gets home he’s going to need those 7,000 people loving on him for the next 20 or 30 something years,” said David Parrish, a close family friend. Eager for him to come back home, those who consider him family are confident in his recovery. “As all this carries out that he’s going to be strong and I’ve said to all these ladies, all my friends, we are going to watch him turn into an incredible young man,” Walker said.

Tyler Bova, the only survivor of a crash that killed his entire family while traveling in Utah, continues to make progress. The 17-year-old remains hospitalized in Utah, but on Tuesday the Facebook page Built Tyler Tough posted an update on Tyler's recovery. "Tyler was able to go on a short ride in the wheelchair today! He's continuing to improve...still a long road ahead. #BuiltTylerTough," the post read. Back in Archdale, the community is rallying around him. The Dance Shop and the nonprofit The Grown Ups Benefit are organizing a benefit to relieve some of the financial burden. "To have all this outpouring of love and support, it's great. I love it. That's the best part of what we get to do because I get a phone call, or a text, or an email almost everyday saying, 'What can I do?' 'How can I help?'" said Joey Hilburn, founder of the Grown Ups Benefit. Organizers say donations for the live auction are pouring in and strangers from across the country are offering to help. Amy Lomax, a close family friend of the Bovas, says some of the girls that danced with Tyler at the Dance Shop have a special performance planned the night of the benefit. "They are so excited. You know when we hear the updates daily from his family about how well he's doing all of us are commenting and the Dance Shop girls are so excited," Lomax said.
​A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help with Tyler's medical expenses. As of Tuesday night, the page is about $2,500 from its $20,000 goal.

Media Outlets

https://myfox8.com/2018/07/13/tyler-bova-benefit-draws-large-community-support/


https://www.wfmynews2.com/mobile/video/news/bova-benefit/83-8189206


http://www.wxii12.com/article/benefit-for-teen-who-lost-parents-brother-in-tragic-utah-crash-while-on-a-family-vacation/22140584


https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=233642790695062&id=119153858810623


https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=233090554083619&id=119153858810623