Frankfort community raises money for families of eight people killed in car crash in Mexico.
FRANKFORT, Ind. — Members of the Frankfort community are coming together to help support the families of eight residents who died last weekend in a car crash in Mexico.
A number of local groups and businesses have come together to help raise funds. Organizers of the fundraising and donation efforts said the news of the disaster was disturbing.
“It was tremendous, especially because the initial reports were reporting three after four losses and then five,” described Esmeralda Cruz with Purdue Extension, one of the organizing groups. “And then we found out it was actually eight people.”
Purdue Extension and the Clinton County Learning Network teamed up to help become a donation center. They also reached out to a local business to see if they could help with fundraising efforts as well.
“We just know there are some things we can do and anticipate,” Cruz said. “And that’s why we think it’s important to start raising some funds to give to these families.”
C&R Catering in downtown Frankfort is helping out with a fundraiser Friday. The company is selling $10 entrees, $5 desserts and $2 drinks during the event with all proceeds going to the families of the victims.
“It’s just something we do, it’s God saying you need help,” said Rodney Mounts, owner of C&R Catering. “So we felt the urgency that we have to do what we can do at this time.”
Right now, Cruz said the urgency includes getting loved ones home.
“Some of our families want to bring the ashes of their loved ones back to the United States,” Cruz said.
While some families want their loved ones’ remains to stay in Mexico, Cruz said these fundraising efforts will help cover the cost of bringing victims’ remains home.
“The expenses, in terms of cremation and permits, to bring them back is not too overwhelming, but that’s only a very small part of the expenses that the families have to go through,” Cruz said.
The funds will help with funeral expenses and any other needs the victims’ families may have.
“It’s going to take a lot of money to bring their families home,” Frankfort Police Chief Scott Shoemaker said. “So anything will help.”
Chief Shoemaker said there is still a push to find out what caused the crash.
“It’s very difficult to contact anyone in Mexico, but we’ll do whatever it takes to get some answers,” he said.
As donations have already started pouring in, organizers said they are proud to see a community come together.
“When this happened it wasn’t about color or skin or ethnicity or race, it was about the loss of eight community members,” Cruz said.
In addition to Friday’s fundraiser at C&R catering, the organizing groups are also looking to hold a garage sale. They plan to continue raising money for the next three to four weeks. They’ve also designed T-shirts to sell, which read “Frankfort 8, Ocho Strong.”
The Learning Network is also collecting donations online here.
