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Volunteers lend their support to the family of 7-year-old Kristyana Jackson, who was killed during a home invasion on Aug. 17. A car wash is held Sunday at Lucky's Auto in Elkhart to help Kristyana's family pay its medical bills. (August 26, 2012) |
ELKHART – The Elkhart community is coming together today to help a local family in need.
Last Sunday, 7-year-old Kristyana Jackson died of injuries she suffered when she was shot during a home invasion two days earlier.
Kristyana and her mother had just attended the Memorial vs. Central football game in Elkhart when they returned home to find three invaders.
On Saturday, hundreds of people attended funeral services to pay tribute to Kristyana's life.
Her father was also shot three times in the home invasion but survived.
Friends are holding a car wash today to raise money for the family. It’s at Lucky’s Auto at 1740 Cassopolis St. and will run until dark or the last car rolls through.
The cost of the car wash is solely on what you can afford.
100% of the proceeds will go to Kristyana’s family for medical expenses.
WSBT has learned Billings Funeral Home donated all of its services for free, and another person donated all the money for Kristyana's burial.
“Get your car, truck, bike or van and get down there,” said Allena Marie Michaels on a Facebook post to WSBT. “This is a great cause. Let’s show how Elkhart comes together in time of need. This family lost their beautiful little girl due to murder. So, let’s show this family the love they need and the strength to carry on.”
Kristyana was a second-grade student at Mary Daly Elementary School.
About 40 volunteers were on hand Sunday afternoon to wash cars. Some of them were moms of students who went to school with Kristyana.
During Sunday's car wash, several restaurants donated food for the workers.
The three assailants in the attack have yet to be found.
If you have any information about these shootings, please call Elkhart police at (574) 295-7070.
