The Jim Thorpe community rallied today for a fundraiser for a high school student who is in a coma since he was in a crash Aug. 20.

If - and his family believes when - Jim Thorpe High School student Korben Kane awakes from a coma, he will have quite a surprise.

In his room will be a gigantic sign with photos of him and family members, as well as get well wishes written and signed by hundreds of friends, relatives and strangers who attended a fundraiser on his behalf Sunday.

Messages such as:

"Stay strong. we know in God's name you can do it."

"Miss you."

"You're a fighter."

'We love you and want you to get well."

That poster was signed during the fundraiser, entitled "Korben's Fight," at the Mauch Chunk Rod and Gun Club in Jim Thorpe. It wasn't known how many people attended the event - which included classmates, neighbors, friends and individuals from as far away as the Lehigh Valley - but it was in the hundreds.

Korben, 17, is a senior at Jim Thorpe High School. He is presently hospitalized in a Lehigh Valley medical facility where he is in a coma after having sustained severe brain trauma in a motor vehicle collision on Aug. 20.

Two other Jim Thorpe high school students were killed in the crash. There were four other teens in the vehicle, with two of them seriously injured.

Killed were Taylor Shepherdson and Jasmine Fonseca, both 16 and both of Towamensing Trails Development.

Injured besides Korben were Michael Thorpe, 17, a Jim Thorpe High School senior who sustained a head injury and sustained full reconstructive surgery on the right side of his skull, and Taylor Schmidt, 15, a freshman at Jim Thorpe who suffered from a broken leg, fractured wrist and broken thumb.

Korben's brothers Tegan, 18, also a senior, was in the crash but said he wasn't injured.

All three survivors attended Sunday's event.

Korben is the son of Brad and Shannon Kane of Jim Thorpe. The father, Tagan, and a sister, Shannon, assisted at the "Korben's Fight" event. The mother wasn't present because she was at her son's side all day at the hospital.

Brad said that even though Korben remains in a coma, there are positive signs of improvement. He said, "Korben has some movement. He is responding to stimuli." He said doctors remain encouraged and the son is on a 24/7 watch.

The fundraiser was arranged by Brad's sister, Mandy Kane. "My sister has been completely outstanding in this," Brad said. "I love her to death. She has done an incredible job."

The event was so well attended that the parking lot at the Rod and Gun Club filled to capacity. People attending parked blocks away in the Jim Thorpe High School parking lot and were shuttled to the club.

Among the activities were music by a dee jay, food, drinks, Chinese auction, tee shirt sales, face painting, raffles, games and a playground for youngsters.

"I'm overwhelmed by all the love and support," Mandy said. "I couldn't be more thankful."

Brad agreed, saying, "I have heartfelt love for this community and the surrounding communities. It's wonderful. There are almost no words to describe it. This is a great place to live."