CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- A local brewery will be holding a fundraising event Monday in honor of Alexa Stakely to show support for her family and raise money for her son.
The staff at the Loose Rail Brewing say they were devastated when they found out about Alexas's death. Chelsea Herbert, the event coordinator, said the event's intention is to ensure Alexa's family feels like they are not alone, and to help to set her son up for a brighter future.
"I can't imagine what the family is going through. It's just tragic," Herbert said. "And sure, it can happen anywhere. But it did happen here in our community."
Alexa and her family had been regular patrons of the brewery, so Herbert said the staff knew they should do something. Kelley Doerfler, the brewery's co-owner, is making sure all the money raised from this event will go to a trust for Alexa's son.
"He’s only six. He lost his mom, and it was literally the ultimate sacrifice, what she did,” Doerfler said. “I mean, what we're going to do is literally a tiny drop in the bucket."
Along with donating the proceeds, Monday's event will have many ways to honor Alexa and celebrate her life. Students and friends are invited to sign a banner and contribute to memorial journals that will be given to the family. There will also be yard games, s'mores kits and face painting.
Lyle's Bakery and Catering will also be selling baked goods with all profits going toward the trust. Additionally, attendees are encouraged to order shirts in her honor, which are priced at $18 each and read "Canal Winchester Strong / Team Alexa" on the front with Loose Rail's logo on the back.
Also on many locals' minds is the fact that the three suspects are still on the run. Event organizers have a specific message for them.
“Come forward,” Doerfler said. “Do the right thing. Do the right thing. Come forward. Own it. What you did. Give that family peace and closure.”
Their hope is that this event will help Alexa's family feel a sense of comfort in this dark time and contribute something to her son's life that he will never forget.
“He can look back and remember how a community rallied around to support him and his mother and his grandparents and his uncles and, you know, everybody,” Doerfler said. “it just helps him.”
The event will take place Monday, July 22nd from 4-10 p.m. at Loose Rail Brewing, 37 W. Waterloo St.
