Benefit Dinner for Justin Pratt's children
Justin Pratt pictured with his wife and children. Photo courtesy of Kristy Raab.
On September 18th, 27-year old Justin Pratt received fatal injuries while at work for Modern Waste in Brookln. Pratt, who grew up in Manchester, leaves a wife and two very young children. Community members have organized a benefit spaghetti dinner to raise money to establish a trust fund for the children. The dinner will be held Saturday, October 13th from 4:30 to 7 pm at Sharon United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, on the corner of M-52 and Pleasant Lake Road. Dinner will include baked spaghetti, garden salad, garlic bread sticks, desserts, coffee, water, and lemonade. There will be a boxed dinner take-out line as well! Check donations can be made out to SUMC.
Kristy Raab, who is helping to organize the dinner stated, "Justin grew up in Manchester, graduated from Tecumseh, had a lot of friends and made an impression those who knew him. In his passing there has been an overwhelming show of love and support for the family. My son and Justin were very close growing up; he was often at my house or coming over to ask if Scott was home. He went into the Marines after high school and served two tours in Afghanistan as an Infantryman. He got married and had two beautiful children, ages 1-1/2 and not quite 4. They will only really know their dad through family, friends and pictures or video clips. He lives on through them, and so many people want to contribute that we thought it would be great to have this benefit dinner to help kick off a trust fund for these beautiful babies."
Organizers are also putting together a silent auction. Silent Auction donation drop off times/days at Sharon United Methodist Church include Tuesday October 9 from 1 to 4 pm, Wednesday October 10 from 3 to 6:30 pm, and Friday October 12 from 10 to 7 pm; although it is best to call first to confirm someone is there at 428-0996. Other drop-off locations include Chelsea State Bank on Main Street in Chelsea (in care of Betty), Modern Waste on Brooklyn Road in Jackson (in care of Michelle), and the Jackson American Legion. Tax deductible receipts are available if you leave your name or business, contact info and estimated value of item with your donation.
Help is still needed in many areas of the dinner, from preparation, to serving, to clean up. If you are able to help in any way, please send a personal message to Kristy Raab via Facebook.
Raab concluded, "Justin will be sorely missed and he would be absolutely amazed watching everyone come together for his little family. Too young to be gone so soon, but not to have touched tens of thousands of people’s hearts."
You must be logged in to post a comment Login