- November 26, 2024
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The Matanzas High School Band of Pirates will hold a benefit concert 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, in honor of fellow band member, Kyle Forgie, who has been in a coma since late December when he was the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
While riding his bike home from his girlfriend’s house, Forgie was struck by a blue Dodge truck at the Interstate 95 and Palm Coast Parkway intersection. A suspect has been identified, but no arrest has been made yet according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
After suffering a traumatic brain injury, Forgie is stable and making small improvements each day, but at this time his doctors can only offer worst-case scenarios.
“We take each little improvement as a milestone,” said his mother, Charissa.
There is no set admission for the concert, only donations. All funds raised during the concert will go to the Forgie family to pay for medical expenses in addition to the day-to-day living expenses. Because of Forgie’s condition, at least one family member has been at the hospital at all times.
“The band is a close-knit family, and we spend countless hours together,” said Director Marc Kolodinsky. “We are utilizing our talents the best way we can to help with the lifestyle of a family that has to cope and deal with being torn between two places right now.”
But the concert is doing more than collecting funds. Kyle’s sister, Kenzie, is also a member of the band, and Charissa Forgie said that the band coming together has been a big support system for her daughter.
“It really shows her how much they are a family,” she said. “It’s more than just the monetary side of things. More than that, it’s the support.”
The concert will include several pieces, including a rendition of Forgie’s favorite song, “Midnight City,” by M83, which is being arranged by fellow band member Stewart Knob. There will also be a special appearance by Pryor Knowledge, featuring Matanzas Principal Dr. Chris Pryor.
“For whatever reason, I think that Kyle’s accident has affected a lot of people who have taken a personal vested interest in our son, and what happened,” said Charissa Forgie. “The outpouring of support for Kyle — it’s amazing how quickly the word has spread.”
