Small business owner raising money to help family of Lyell crash

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Rochester community continues to show its support for the family that lost two young children in Wednesday’s horrific crash at the intersection of Mt. Read Boulevard and Lyell Avenue.

News10NBC talked to one small business owner that’s looking to raise some money to help the family as they move forward in their recovery.

Evangela Stanley owns the People’s Choice Kitchen on Brooks Avenue. She’s calling other small business owners to join her in this effort as a way of giving back on the sad occasion.

It’s been a full day now since two cars collided here at the intersection. The crash killed two children aged 4 and 11. An 8-year-old boy who was critically injured survived the crash. Their mother has since been treated and released. Stanley says she was touched by the news of the crash.

"It doesn’t matter that I do not know this young lady at all, but she’s our sister in my eyes, and whatever I can do to help out that’s what I want to do," Stanley said.

She has reached out to her friends, other small business owners to help take up a collection for the family.

"Willie Lightfoot is on board. He said he’ll put a tip jar in his barbershop. Tricia, she owns the Purple Painted Lady. She’s not even in this local area, she wants to donate, and several other friends and family. they’re all stepping up," Stanley said.

Wednesday night several people gathered at the site to light candles, leave some balloons, and pray for the family.

Laura Lehr said, "I’m a mother of three kids, and you know like you said it’s right before the holidays, but it doesn’t matter what time of year it is, it’s horrible to lose your children."

And as the family recovers from this tragedy, Stanley wants the mother to know that she’s not alone.

"I can’t even imagine what she’s going through today. I wish I could give her a hug, a kiss to let her know that we love her in this community, and we’re going to rally, we’re going to help any way we can," Stanley said.

News10NBC reached out to one family member who contacted us Wednesday night. So far we haven’t heard back from her.

The following businesses are working to help the family:

• People’s Choice Kitchen
• New Creation Barbershop
• 81 Degree’s Salon
• Tangie’s Restaurant
• Kut-N-Edge
• Purpose Grooming
• Kut Kingz
• D&L Grocery
• T & DAVE Barbershop
• Shoe Insanity
• The Groom Room
• Select Stylez
• Big Dre Barbershop
• Macabee Printing
• Fashion Flare