Tracee Peterson could not believe it. She could not believe so many people cared about her. In the hours before she arrived at Troy Elementary School, Peterson fretted about attendance at her Saturday benefit. Would Troy really turn out?

Worries were quickly cast aside when Peterson arrived. Organizers estimated 300 attendees inside the school’s gym. Children waited in line 15-deep to hop in the bounce castle in the back left corner. Volunteers in the cafeteria made four runs for extra chili.  

Troy City Councilman Phil Fisher ran bids up to $75 as he auctioned off two-hours of work by pairs of Troy High School football players.

While there were many attractions, few in attendance could help but stare at Peterson.

“It just gives me goosebumps thinking about it,” Joni Akin, one of the volunteers, said. “Doctors told her she had a two percent chance of living and now she is home in seven weeks. This has brought tremendous awareness to domestic abuse.”

Peterson worried she would not remember many of her supporters. Instead, she surprised herself with sharp mental acuity.

“I am remembering more people than I thought I would,” Peterson said as she rested on a cafeteria bench. “This feels so good.”

An already large selection of silent auction items expanded as raffle winners routinely donated their prizes to the cause.

“Troy has always known how to come together for something like this,” Fisher’s wife, Danette Fisher, said. “It shows great community support.”

Chatting between poses for camera-phone pictures, Peterson told friends she had nothing to complain about. In the event’s most emotionally charged moment, Peterson’s daughter, Hailey Peterson, read a speech, thanking supporters for the kindness and love. When the speech came to a close, mother and daughter hugged as the crowd gathered to applaud.

The benefit moved to the Troy VFW in the evening. Packed to the point it was difficult to maneuver, Peterson marveled at the selflessness people showed as they bid hundreds of dollars beyond the value of auction items only to donate them to Peterson and her children.

“It’s amazing how Tracee is moving on to a positive life with her kids,” Brenda Goe, Peterson’s employer at Main Street Perk said. “I love that lady. She even briefly joined us on the dance floor.”

The evening after the benefit, Peterson still could not wrap her mind around the support.

“I never knew how many people cared,” Peterson said.