Community rallies behind stricken soccer star

Ashlyn Reinstra often carried the team as a La Conner High soccer standout.

Now she has an even bigger team standing behind her.

Ashlyn, a former co-League Player of the Year who recently completed her freshman season at Skagit Valley College, is now in a high-stakes match not of her choosing.

She’s battling leukemia.

But Ashlyn, daughter of Aaron and Jaime Reinstra, isn’t facing her foe alone.

Far from it.

The La Conner community and countless others from far and wide have rallied to her side.

More than 500 people attended a benefit dinner and auction last week that raised funds to help the family’s expenses during Ashlyn’s treatment at the University of Washington Medical Center.

That event, which drew luxury travel packages, authentic Northwest and Native American art, and Seattle Seahawks sports items — among other donations — was merely the kickoff for what has truly become a campaign of love.

More than $2,000 has been collected thus far from sales of special “Ashlyn’s Angel” bracelets, and lifelong friends of Ashlyn’s parents held a raffle that generated nearly $1,500 for the Reinstra family.

Greg Edwards and Tony Holt coordinated the latter fundraiser.

“I contacted the guys when I heard the news,” Edwards said Monday. “I said we needed to get together and help out our brother and his family. Joe McDonald called back and said he had an item to donate. So then I got back to J.J. Wilbur, Tandy Wilbur, Charles Edwards, and Tony (Holt), and we all donated items.

“All of us grew up with Aaron, from elementary through high school,” Edwards explained. “He ran around with us over in the village and traveled with us when we played in our Native American basketball tournaments.

“It was the least we could do for our brother and his family in their time of need,” Edwards said.

Nor does the outreach stop there.

The La Conner Soroptomist club is hosting a blood drive in Ashlyn’s name this Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at La Conner Fire Department.

People can register to donate at http://www.psbc.org or by contacting the Puget Sound Blood Center. Those taking part can also be tested for possible bone marrow donations at that time.

Meanwhile, the La Conner High girls’ soccer team — a program which continues to bear Ashlyn’s stamp — is selling “Team Ashlyn” tee-shirts, with the next order being placed Feb. 17.

Since the Lady Braves are covering production costs, all proceeds from sales of the shirts go directly to the Reinstras. Tee-shirt orders will be accepted at this Thursday’s high school basketball games or via coach Amy Freeto at [email protected].

Ashlyn, has been moved into a studio apartment at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and is comforted by thoughts of family and friends here.

“We’ve always said Ashlyn loves her family, friends, and La Conner,” her mom said this week. “La Conner and everyone have definitely showed that love in return. We want to give a huge thank-you out to our great community. We want to thank everyone for being with us on this journey and making it easier for us.”

Folks in La Conner, of course, plan on being there every step of the way.