A community fundraiser for the four young men killed in Solebury attracted hundreds of people to Bristol Borough Sunday afternoon.
The hot dog fundraiser, which supporters could donate any amount of money and get a hot dog, raised a total of $7,000 for the families of Tom Meo, Mark Sturgis, Dean Finocchiaro and Jimi Patrick.
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The McKiernan Veterans Fund, which raises money for local veterans, decided to donate an addition $500, while matching $500 from the community brought the fundraiser to a total of $8,000. Due to the generosity, each family received an even $2,000.
About 400 people came out to the Mill Street parking lot in support of the fundraiser and the families, according to Ismael Hermie Rivera, an organizer of the fundraiser.
Among those in attendance were a few members of Meo and Finocchiaro’s families, who came from out of state to be at the fundraiser.
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“At times it was emotional, but I really believe that it was a time of healing,” explained Rivera.
Throughout the fundraiser, which was supported by the Bristol Elks Lodge 960, kids sang karaoke and singers sang emotional songs for the four boys.
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“I knew everyone in the community was going to support me 100 percent,” Rivera said.
With just a little more than a week’s notice, Rivera and other volunteers accumulated more than 5,000 hot dogs and buns and a number of cases of water to match. The extra food and water was donated to a local homeless shelter in the four boys’ names.
Local businesses also donated to the fundraiser and area kids and teenagers got involved, Rivera said.
