Community comes together for the Maness Family
On Saturday May 14, 2016, there were two fundraising events in Williamsburg to support the Maness Family. As many remember, on April 17th at 8 am a tragic incident unfolded at the Farm Fresh in Norge, Williamsburg. A gunman randomly shot and killed Gabe Maness in the grocery store. Gabe was shopping for donuts, which he did every Sunday for his wife (who was nine months pregnant) and five year old daughter. He was also buying supplies to take on his daughter’s very first fishing trip and to celebrate his 34th birthday that was only days before. They had a big day planned ahead. Unfortunately, Gabe never made it back home.
On May 14th the Williamsburg area community came together and hosted two events The Run-Walk-a-Thon at Farm Fresh in Norge, and a car wash event at Colonial Carwash 6950 Richmond Road. The Farm Fresh event was held in the parking lot. It was the idea of Radley Green, a local resident who heard about the tragedy and felt compelled to help out. He did not know Gabe Maness or his family. But Mr. Green with the help of his wife, Will the manager at Farm Fresh, who was on duty that fateful morning, and leaders and members at LifePoint Church they put together an event that raised over $10,000. The event included a run-walk-a-thon, face painting and lunch for purchase of hot dogs with chips and water donated by Boarshead and Farm Fresh.
An amazing facepainting artist came, Kyera Dalesandro from Artistic Touch decorated children as she raised donations at her tent. After watching her creations we found out that she is one of the artists featured on the new tv show SkinWars on GSN. Great music pumped through speakers keeping everyone moving, thanks to “DJ” Duane Crosby from LifePoint Church.
The JCC Police department came with their Extreme 5-0 4 wheeling vehicle and Bruton Fire Department had their Fire Engine that kids climbed in and turned on their sirens. And the local sign company Wright Signs donated large banners supporting the Run-Walk-a-Thon, letting folks know who were driving by about the event.
The second event that happened today was at Colonial Carwash, where the owners and team members of Extreme Climates (that is the company where Gabe Maness worked) came out and washed everyone’s car. Big Chris and Little Chris (owners of Extreme Climates) washed cars all day. Their $2,000 proceeds from today’s car wash will go to the Maness family.
If you could not make either of these events you can donate to help Mrs. Maness and her two girls. If you would like to donate via mail you can send your donation to: Kristy Maness C/O Extreme Climates Inc. at P. O. Box 14291, Newport News, VA 23608. That fund will go directly to the Maness family.
Thanks to Extreme Climates, Wright Signs, Colonial Carwash, Farm Fresh, Boars Head, Lifepointe Church, Artistic Touch, JCC Police Department, Bruton Fire Department, Radley Green and his family and all who gave of their time and money to support the Maness Family. It was wonderful to see a community come together.
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