Community responds to funds for families
Originally published Jan. 13, 1993
As family members of the seven slain Brown's Chicken & Pasta employees continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones, an outpouring of donations is being sent to memorial funds in Palatine.
At Palatine High School, where Michael Castro, 16, of Palatine, and Rico Solis, 17, of Arlington Heights, attended school, students and faculty members are buying blue ribbons in memory of them, said Terry Bill, a school secretary.
On Tuesday, the donations totaled $1,800, Bill said. Today's contributions could match that mark, she said.
"This is the second day for the ribbons," Bill said. "Sales are going extremely well. The response from faculty and students has been overwhelming"
The money will be deposited in a special fund set up for the Castro and Solis families at Bank of Palatine, 1 E. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. The money will help the families with funeral arrangements and other expenses, Bill said.
People who would like to donate to this fund may write out a check to the Palatine High School Students' Memorial Fund and then mail it to the bank, Bill said.
At Suburban National Bank of Palatine, Vice President Robert Knapstein said the response has been overwhelming. The bank, at 50 N. Brockway St., has set up a fund for all the victims' families. Donations may be dropped off at any Suburban National Bank or sent to Suburban National Bank of Palatine, P.O. Box 38, Palatine, IL 60078-0939.
"The donations are continuing to come in from all over Illinois," Knapstein said. "The outpouring of support and care is there."
A fund for Richard and Lynn Ehlenfeldt has been set up at Glueckert Funeral Home. Donations may be sent to the funeral home at 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004.
At NBD Bank in Arlington Heights, donations for the Ehlenfeldt Children's Fund are being dropped off, officials said. Donations for this fund can be may be sent to 900 E. Kensington Road, Arlington Height, IL 60004.
The Palatine Jaycees, Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary clubs will hold a fundraiser for the victims' families Feb. 19. The dinner, dance and silent auction will be held at Cotillion Banquets in Palatine.