Havre Trap Club holds benefit for Zack Ambler

The Havre Trap Club will hold a fund-raising shoot Saturday for local teen and club member, Zack Ambler, 15, to help the family with expenses related to his recent ATV accident.

According to Zack's mother, Toni Ambler, Zack was riding his quad-runner with his friends when the throttle got stuck while climbing a gravel pile west of town.

"He broke both arms, his right clavicle, and fractured his right cheekbone, eye socket, sinus cavity, and part of the right side of his skull," she said.

At the time of the accident, the family did not have health insurance; however, during the first few days after the accident the money is the last thing that a parent is concerned about.

"The bills are starting to come in now," Ambler said. "The emergency visit in Havre to stabilize him before he was flown to Great Falls will cost us $9,000. That's just the first four hours of his care after the accident."

Zack was then flown by Mercy Flight to Great Falls, where he underwent surgery to his broken growth plate in his wrist. He then had surgery to stabilize the upper right sinus cavity in his skull.

"The doctors put plaster bone in his head that will take about a year to harden," she said.

"He is at home now, but still requires around-the-clock care. With both arms broken, he can't get out of bed on his own even."

When Zack needs assistance, the avid hunter blows his elk bugle to get his mother's attention.

Doctors don't anticipate his return to school until after Thanksgiving,

"It's going to be a while before I can leave him and go back to work, since he can't get out of bed," said Ambler, who is employed by the Havre Day Activity Center.

She said she had no vacation time built up, but her employer gave her time off.

Zack, his father, Eric Ambler, and grandfather, Alan Otto, are members of the Havre Trap Club; and according to fellow club member Doug Erhard, once word about the accident got to the club, members decided to step in to help the family with expenses.

"They have expenses that go beyond the medical bills," Erhard said. "Gas, hotels, the bills that pile up while trying to take care of their son. They will have a lot of expenses that aren't directly medical bills that will need taken care of. They can use this toward anything they need to assist them through this difficult time."

The benefit at the Trap Club will begin with practice shoots at 11 a.m.. The competitive shoot will start at noon.

"You don't have to be a member to come," Erhard said. "There will be games and a $5 sloppy joe and chili feed. People are welcome to come to that even if they don't shoot."

Club members aren't sure about how many people will come out Saturday due to hunting season and the nice weather forecast, however, Erhard said the club is anticipating raising $500 and above to assist the family.

"We have received donations for the family already," Erhard said. "We hope that everyone stops out to have a bite to eat."

The Ambler family is very grateful for any help, whether monetary or emotional support.

"I just really want to thank everyone for being so good and helping out," Toni Ambler said. "I'm so grateful for everyone's thoughts and prayers, and that he pulled through."

There will be an additional fundraiser for the Amblers on Nov. 19, at the Fifth Avenue Christian Church from 5 to 7 p.m., with a dinner and auction put on by Friends of the Ambler Family, according to Chelby Gooch.

"We really want to help the family with the expenses," Gooch said. If anyone would like to donate auction items, contact her at (406) 390-3074.

There has also been a donation account set up at Bear Paw Credit Union in Zack Ambler's name for anyone who would like to help the family with monetary donations.

The Havre Trap Club will hold a fund-raising shoot Saturday for local teen and club member, Zack Ambler, 15, to help the family with expenses related to his recent ATV accident.

According to Zack's mother, Toni Ambler, Zack was riding his quad-runner with his friends when the throttle got stuck while climbing a gravel pile west of town.

"He broke both arms, his right clavicle, and fractured his right cheekbone, eye socket, sinus cavity, and part of the right side of his skull," she said.

At the time of the accident, the family did not have health insurance; however, during the first few days after the accident the money is the last thing that a parent is concerned about.

"The bills are starting to come in now," Ambler said. "The emergency visit in Havre to stabilize him before he was flown to Great Falls will cost us $9,000. That's just the first four hours of his care after the accident."

Zack was then flown by Mercy Flight to Great Falls, where he underwent surgery to his broken growth plate in his wrist. He then had surgery to stabilize the upper right sinus cavity in his skull.

"The doctors put plaster bone in his head that will take about a year to harden," she said.

"He is at home now, but still requires around-the-clock care. With both arms broken, he can't get out of bed on his own even."

When Zack needs assistance, the avid hunter blows his elk bugle to get his mother's attention.

Doctors don't anticipate his return to school until after Thanksgiving,

"It's going to be a while before I can leave him and go back to work, since he can't get out of bed," said Ambler, who is employed by the Havre Day Activity Center.

She said she had no vacation time built up, but her employer gave her time off.

Zack, his father, Eric Ambler, and grandfather, Alan Otto, are members of the Havre Trap Club; and according to fellow club member Doug Erhard, once word about the accident got to the club, members decided to step in to help the family with expenses.

"They have expenses that go beyond the medical bills," Erhard said. "Gas, hotels, the bills that pile up while trying to take care of their son. They will have a lot of expenses that aren't directly medical bills that will need taken care of. They can use this toward anything they need to assist them through this difficult time."

The benefit at the Trap Club will begin with practice shoots at 11 a.m.. The competitive shoot will start at noon.

"You don't have to be a member to come," Erhard said. "There will be games and a $5 sloppy joe and chili feed. People are welcome to come to that even if they don't shoot."

Club members aren't sure about how many people will come out Saturday due to hunting season and the nice weather forecast, however, Erhard said the club is anticipating raising $500 and above to assist the family.

"We have received donations for the family already," Erhard said. "We hope that everyone stops out to have a bite to eat."

The Ambler family is very grateful for any help, whether monetary or emotional support.

"I just really want to thank everyone for being so good and helping out," Toni Ambler said. "I'm so grateful for everyone's thoughts and prayers, and that he pulled through."

There will be an additional fundraiser for the Amblers on Nov. 19, at the Fifth Avenue Christian Church from 5 to 7 p.m., with a dinner and auction put on by Friends of the Ambler Family, according to Chelby Gooch.

"We really want to help the family with the expenses," Gooch said. If anyone would like to donate auction items, contact her at (406) 390-3074.

There has also been a donation account set up at Bear Paw Credit Union in Zack Ambler's name for anyone who would like to help the family with monetary donations.