Linda Kirkendoll says she is overwhelmed by the community support she and her family have received since the death of her 4-year-old granddaughter, Raleigh Franco.
Franco died unexpectedly of pneumonia on March 9.
“Niles has been amazing,” she said. “It is like we aren’t going through it alone.”
A Zumbathon was held Saturday night at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA to raise funds for the Kirkendoll and Franco families.Around 125 people attended the Zumbathon and raised a substantial amount of money, according to one of the event organizers Lindsey Cloutier.
Kirkendoll was one of those in attendance.
“It was really awesome, and it was powerful,” said Kirkendoll, who runs J Jireh Salon in Niles. “They just kept coming all through the night. Some would come and leave their donation and go.”
Event organizers presented Raleigh Franco’s family with the funds raised at the event Monday afternoon.