Fundraisers Benefit Families, Victims Of Fatal Strongsville Crash

STRONGSVILLE, OH — The community is rallying around the families and victims of a fatal car crash that claimed the life of 16-year-old Kailee Mayher on June 7. Several fundraisers have popped up benefiting the victims and their families and helping to cover medical expenses.

The Strongsville United Methodist Church, along with Team Strongsville, has organized a meal delivery program for the six families. Interested parties can sign up to bring specific meals to each family.

Becky Zatezalo, the director of adult discipleship at the church, said she has been inspired by the amount of support the community has shown in response to the tragedy. She said 32 families have already signed up to deliver meals.

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She said that if others are interested in helping to deliver meals, they can search the names of the families on TakeThemaMeal.com. If that doesn't work, contact Becky directly at 440-476-8248 or bzatezalo@gmail.com.

"I was just looking for a way to help the families. We do meals at our church for people that are ill or have suffered losses. So we directed the program towards helping the families," Becky told Patch.

Each meal is designed to meet the requirements of the families. For example, one of the families is Muslim and is currently observing Ramadan. That means they cannot eat until sundown and cannot eat pork. Those requirements are taken into consideration and noted for meal deliveries.

The families will be receiving meals through the program for at least two weeks. Families with children in the hospital will receive meals for three weeks. All families will have the option to extend their use of the program indefinitely.

"We want them to be able to focus on their families," Becky said.

A number of GoFundMe accounts have been created to help cover medical expenses for the three teenagers that were injured in the crash. Team Strongsville is also partnering with Hickory Ridge Cinemas in Brunswick for a fundraising event called "Mom's Night Out at the Movies." That event will be held June 15 and a portion of all proceeds will go to the six families that had children involved in the accident.

"Everyone is coming together. Even other communities are getting involved. The support from Brunswick has been incredible," Becky said. "They're a wonderful community."

Here are links to the various GoFundMe funds that have been setup:

• To benefit Alyssa Collins and her family
• To benefit the family of Sarah Attar
• To benefit the family of Kailee Mayher

To read more about the tragic accident on June 8, click here.

Photo from Pixabay