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Family creates scholarship in memory of Rock Island student

The family of a Rock Island High School student who passed away earlier this year, is working to help future students in his honor through a scholarship fund.
Donavin Keim, photo from Donavin Keim Tribute Facebook page

The family of a Rock Island High School student who passed away earlier this year, is working to help future students in his honor.

Donavin Keim passed away Thursday, March 13, 2014, just one day after the 17-year-old junior passed-out during gym class. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced brain dead.

Nathan Harrison, a relative of Donavin, said the family is now working to put together money for a scholarship in Donavin’s name. The scholarship would go to a wrestler and a football player from Rock Island High School.

“Those are two things that Donavin loved and it’s a way for our family to give back to programs that meant so much to him while he was here,” Harrison said.

On Saturday, May 3, 2014 a benefit was held at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall in Rock Island to get those scholarships ready.

Items were donated from community members, family, businesses, and more. Those items, like River Bandits tickets, a suite at a Mallards Game, iPads, were then raffled off.

Harrison said the family hopes to make this an annual event.

“It’s important because it’s a way for our family to keep Donavin’s spirit alive,” Harrison said. “He was such a great kid who lived with so much passion.”

Donations can still be made to the Donavin Keim Memorial Fund through the IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union.

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