Fund-raisers to help the families of four Oil City High School students injured in a traffic accident last month have pulled in an estimated $23,000. Diana Davis, one of the organizers of Monday's Carll-Mong Rebound Benefit Golf Scramble at Wanango Country Club, said more than 30 teams of four golfers turned out for the daylong event. The per-team charge was $300, and dozens of sponsors were secured for the event. “We had so many sponsors for this event - people giving us prizes. They have been unbelievable,” Davis said. The event was organized to help defray costs sustained by the families of the four student athletes. The boys, Justin Carll, 17, Steve Mong, 17, Adam Carll, 16, and Nathan Carll, 17, were returning home from a basketball camp July 11 at Mercyhurst College in Erie when the they were riding in struck an embankment. The crash happened on Route 8 near Centerville. Davis, the wife of Oilers basketball coach John Davis, said the families have incurred expenses because of lost days at work and various travel expenses while the boys were hospitalized in out-of-town medical facilities. All the boys except Justin Carll have been discharged and are home. He is expected to remain in a Pittsburgh children's rehabilitation institute for another three weeks, Davis said. “He is progressing,” she said. “We have witnessed the power of prayer and God's healing hand. The many expressions of support have been a source of renewed strength and blessings,” the Carll and Mong families wrote on a program handed out at Monday's event. “To our community of family, friends, businesses and friends we have yet to meet, we thank you.” Committee members for Monday's golfing event have decided to make the scramble an annual happening so money is available for other families should similar accidents occur. “The way the trust will work, it will be for Venango County children - Cranberry, Rocky Grove, Oil City or Franklin. The fund will cover any child within the school who is participating in extracurricular activities whether it's a band or sports. If they're hurt in an accident, there is going to be money available,” Davis said. “It's not just sports. They have to be involved in some school-organized event.” Davis also said money could be used for students who may have lost scholarships because of injuries suffered in accidents. (From the 8.24.04 Derrick)