A N.Y. rock venue held the first Gabby Petito fundraiser on Sunday, showing a beautiful display of support for the woman’s family.
Just in the first hour of a six-hour event, a reported 200 people came to pay their respects in Patchogue, N.Y. Staff members and a doorman told Fox News about the community support.
First official fundraiser for the Gabby Petito Foundation is happening at 89 North on Oct 17th. #GabbyPetito https://t.co/1EFrtWsx4e pic.twitter.com/cWADVDSmAI
— Seeker (@Florida_Merc) October 2, 2021
The club, 89 North, is also a 10-minute drive from Gabby Petito’s Blue Point hometown.
Authorities determined Petito died by strangulation. Family members reported the 22-year-old woman missing on Sept. 11.
Gabby Petito Charity To Help Missing People
The Petito family held the fundraiser to build funds for its charity. Correspondingly, the charity looks to aid the families of other missing people. It was created in the woman’s honor back in late September.
On Sunday, community support came from local business owners to civil servants and private citizens.
Family along with Blue Point Fire Department members staffed the event. Additionally, the fire department assisted with food, security, and fundraiser admission. Petito’s stepfather is currently an ex-chief.
“We’re firefighters. We’re volunteers,” Assistant Chief Sean Meehan said. “So we’re volunteering to help out a good cause.”
Meehan also described Petito as “a family member” and said the department wanted to help in any way possible.
Similarly, another supporter named Robin McComb attended the fundraiser with two employees. One of her employees had a son attend high school with Petito. McComb paid a $40 for a donation entry fee and a $20 “Justice for Gabby” metal bracelet.
Attorney and family friend Richard Stafford is helping Petito’s parents and stepparents. Overall, Stafford praised the fundraiser’s overall strong support at the beginning of the event.
Concurrently, on Sunday, the Gabby Petito Foundation announced it was establishing high school scholarships.
Petito Family In Wyoming This Week
The parents, who recently traveled to the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming on Friday, were not immediately seen at the event. Conversely, after the coroner’s final autopsy report this past week, they traveled to the state to pick up their daughter’s remains.
Firstly, Petito and her fiancé Brian Laundrie started a cross-country road trip after July 4. Along the way, the couple visited several national parks and posed social media updates.
The Petito family lost contact with the woman in late August and reported her missing on Sept. 11.
Meanwhile, Laundrie returned to his parents’ North Port, Fla. home on Sept. 1, according to officials. In light of the media and attention, Laundrie vanished around Sept. 13. Further, the man’s whereabouts are unknown.
The FBI named Laundrie a person of interest in Petito’s slaying. The 23-year-old man also used Petito’s bank account to withdraw over $1,000, leading to a warrant.
