Many people in Delphi are eager to do what they can to help the families of murder victims Abby Williams and Libby German.
DELPHI, Ind. (WTHR) - Many people in Delphi are eager to do what they can to help the families of murder victims Abby Williams and Libby German.
Video: this is he crowd of bikers & even more waiting to sign in for Delphi memorial ride for Abby & Libby. #WTHRSunrise
— Matt McCutcheon (@matt_mccutcheon) February 18, 2017
Video: this is he crowd of bikers & even more waiting to sign in for Delphi memorial ride for Abby & Libby. #WTHRSunrise
— Matt McCutcheon (@matt_mccutcheon) February 18, 2017
This is just the line to sign in for the memorial bike ride. Now *thousands* are expected. #WTHRSunrise
— Matt McCutcheon (@matt_mccutcheon) February 18, 2017
This is just one side of the courthouse square at capacity. Event is now expanding to another side. Still 1 hour until memorial ride begins
— Matt McCutcheon (@matt_mccutcheon) February 18, 2017
At the Flower Shoppe II in Delphi, the calls began coming in first thing Friday morning. So did the online orders.
"Two orders have just come in for two memory stones…A lot of orders online have been consisting of one for each girl," Vanessa Humbager said.
Florist manager Debbie Smith was preparing floral arrangements for the girls visitation and funerals, set for this weekend.
As she did so, she thought about the love and sorrow expressed in each bouquet.
"I think about that on every one, but this is tougher because it's for two little girls who didn't have much of a chance of life and I hope it brings comfort to the family," Smith said.
Just a few blocks away at the Delphi Pizza King, Tracy Bradshaw said, "It's there. You wake up thinking about it, go to sleep thinking about it. I'm sure I'm not alone."
Bradshaw knows she isn’t. That's why she and her co-owners are holding a fundraiser next Friday. Proceeds from every single meal sold will go to the girl's families.
"There's nothing we can do to make the family feel better about what happened, but maybe (we can help their situations by providing money) It makes us feel like we're doing something," she said.
Bradshaw said they expect a crowd next week, given the response so far, and that doesn't surprise her one bit.
"Not in a small community like this where we all know everybody. Our kids go to school together, our grandkids go to school together. Everybody wants to jump in and help," she said.
At Dutton's Office Tavern they weren't just getting ready for lunch. They were getting ready for Saturday's "Ride for the Kids." It's a 100-mile motorcycle ride to benefit the girl's families. The bar is one of the sponsors.
Bartender Victoria Boening said, "The outpouring of love and support (for the families) has just been great."
And for Boehning and others at the bar, it's deeply personal. Libby's grandmother is one of bartenders.
The horrific crime also hits close to home for Janice Grassmier, who organized the ride. Grassmier is friends with Abby's mom.
Grassmier said when she heard what happened it was, "we have to do something...I have a couple of kids myself...You'd never think something like this could happen."
Grassmier wasn't sure how much the event would raise. It's $20 per person, but some are donating more. She's even receiving donations from people not participating.
"It's just amazing," she said.
The Stonehouse Restaurant and Bakery was also doing its part. Yesterday it began selling large heart-shaped cookies with the girls names on them for $10 apiece. All proceeds will go to the families.
Carolyn Hensley, who drove 18 miles to help the cause, said, "It just breaks my heart with what the kids what had to go thru and the parents. I just can't even imagine the pain and grief, it's just beyond what I can imagine."
Christie Smith added, "any way we can help out, it just doesn't feel like you can do enough."
A restaurant employee said they were overwhelmed with the response. She said they ran out of cookies Friday after selling 72. They have orders for 50 more. She said, so far they've raised $1,460 and hope to raise much more.
