October 8, 2025
Community Rallies Around Injured Student-Athlete in Wildwood Fundraiser
By Kyle Coppola
Community Rallies Around Injured Student-Athlete in Wildwood Fundraiser
The Sumter County School District is issuing a call to action in support of Jeriyah Walker, a standout athlete from Wildwood Middle High School who was critically injured in a recent car crash.
Jeriyah, a vital player on the school’s Girls Rural Class 1A State Championship basketball team earlier this year, faces a long and difficult recovery. In response, the Wildwood community is coming together to support the student-athlete and her family through a daylong fundraising event.
(Jeriyah stands with her coach and teammates who came to her hospital bed to encourage her recently.)
The benefit will be held on Tuesday, October 14, at Culver’s of Wildwood, located on Sundance Trail off County Road 466A. From 10:00 a.m. until closing, a portion of all proceeds from meals purchased will go directly toward covering Walker’s medical expenses.
“Jeriyah is not only a champion on the court, but also a beloved member of our school and community,” the school district said in a statement. “Now she needs our support more than ever.”
(Jeriyah shoots a three point shot during the FHSAA State Basketball Final which Wildwood would ultimately win and finish the season 25-0.)
Organizers are encouraging residents across Sumter County and beyond to dine at Culver’s that day and share information about the fundraiser widely to maximize participation.
“Every meal helps,” the district added. “Let’s show Jeriyah the power of community.”
Photo Source – Kyle Coppola and SweetNeak Lewis
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
