Wings Etc. raises more than $2K for Niles crash victims

Published 4:47 pm Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Leader photo/KATIE ROHMAN People waited in line Tuesday at Niles’ Wings Etc., where 10 percent of the proceeds from each bill benefited the family of crash victims Julianna Brown and Sophia True.

Wings Etc. of Niles raised $2,341 during Tuesday’s benefit for the family of three Niles sisters who were involved in a fatal crash Sept. 11 in Howard Township.

Restaurant owner Jeremy Bayles said Tuesday was the third-busiest day in the restaurant’s five-year history. The busiest days were the first two days Wings Etc. opened — a Friday and Saturday in April 2007.

“It shows this community comes together in a time of need, and (Tuesday) was a fine event,” Bayles said. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting the family.”

Ten percent of all sales Tuesday went to the family of Julianna Brown, 9, Sophia True, 6, and Penelope True, 4. Julianna and Sophia died from injuries sustained in the crash, while Penelope is still recovering from her injuries.

Wings Etc. also took donations. Bayles said donations accounted for about half the $2,341 raised during the benefit.

“It was overwhelming,” Bayles said.

Wings Etc. needed several extra staff members to account for the large volume of customers dining in and ordering takeout. Bayles said they had to stop taking take-out orders a few times during the day because the demand was too great for staff to keep up with.

“My staff as a whole did an excellent job of getting food to customers and taking care of customers,” Bayles said. “We were slammed, and to raise that kind of money just goes to show what type of community we live in.”