LORAIN, Ohio — The Lorain community is rallying together to honor and support the families of two teenage girls who tragically died after a car they were driving in with another young man plunged into Lake Erie last week.
The surviving 18-year-old man told police he was a passenger in the car, and he managed to escape the vehicle.
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Community members are now organizing fundraisers and memorial efforts for 18-year-old Lucy Hopkins and 17-year-old Paige Williams, whose deaths have left family, friends and neighbors heartbroken.
A growing makeshift memorial now sits at the crash site, where people continue to leave flowers, candles and other tributes in memory of the teens.
“We woke up Friday morning to the horrible news of the car crash and it was devastating,” said Nadine Plavsich, co-chair of Lorain County Job and Family Services’ union local.
A benefit lunch and dinner to support Hopkins’ family is being held on Wednesday at UAW Local 2000 on Abbe Road in Sheffield Village.
The event runs from noon until 6:30 p.m.
The fundraiser is organized by Local Union 2192, which represents employees of Lorain County Job and Family Services.
Her father, Tyler Brickman, is a union member and serves on the bargaining committee.
Union leaders say members felt a clear need to step up and support one of their own during a time of immense loss.
“The members of Local 2192 were deeply saddened to hear about the tragic accident that happened in our community,” Plavsich said. “But then to discover it was one of our own union brother’s family was completely devastating. We knew as a union to come together as a family and help support them.”
Money raised from the event will go toward funeral and burial expenses for her family.
Donations can also be dropped off during the fundraiser.
In addition, students at EHOVE Career Center are also honoring the memory of their former classmate, Williams.
Food Service Operations students who run "Cafe @ 316" are donating a portion of their sales and all gratuities to support her family.
Carry-out and dine-in meals are available through the student-run café. More information can be found here.
A separate fundraiser has also been launched for Williams.
The GoFundMe, organized with support from Salvatore’s Restaurant in Vermilion, where she worked, is raising money to help her family with expenses.
Donations can be made here.
Community members say the outpouring of support shows how deeply the two teens impacted those around them.
Organizers say any donation — large or small — will help the families during this difficult time.
ELYRIA SALON HOSTS "CUT-A-THON" FUNDRAISER
Studio 828 Salon and Spa in Elyria is hosting a fundraiser for the family of Hopkins. Her mother works at the salon.
“Robin is part of our salon family and you know when somebody's part of your family, you want to help out any way that you can and so knowing that, you know, they needed the help you have to do it,” said Studio 828 Owner Sha’Quanna Young.
“She's going to be out of work, her husband is going to be out of work, they still have other children to provide for, so however they need to spend the money," she said. "For me it was important that she is able to honor her daughter the way that she wants to, without having to hold back.”
Services such as haircuts on clean, dry hair, mini facials, and more will be offered in exchange for a donation.
It's Sunday, March 15, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the salon on Cleveland Avenue.
There will be raffles and a bake sale as well.
News 5 will update this page with additional fundraising information, as provided.
