Online Fundraising Aims To Help Phila. Family of Toddler Killed in Sidewalk Accident
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Online fundraising efforts to support the family of three-year-old Wynter Larkin have gone viral. The little girl was killed last Saturday when a security gate fell off its attachment, crushing her during a sorority fundraiser outside of a Rita's Water Ice in the Brewerytown section of Philadelphia (see previous story).
Terri Dean, public relations chair for the Rho Theta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., says the group is devastated following the tragic death of young Wynter, so they are rallying around mother and sorority sister Cheryl Larkin and her entire family with prayer vigils and, now, an online fundraiser.
"If you've seen the beautiful smile that little Wynter had, it was just infectious and it makes us want to do all that we can to try to lessen the financial burden of the family," Dean said today.
In just a few days, she says, the AKA's GoFundMe effort has gone viral, drawing hundreds of donations from across the country.
"We set a goal of $10,000 and we've exceeded that," she says. "We're over $11,000."
Dean says money will go to help with funeral and other expenses. The little girl's funeral is set for Saturday morning at the "West" location of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, on West Coulter Street.
To donate to the family, go to www.gofundme.com/larkinfamilybenevolence.
