NEWPORT, Vt. -
Nearly one month after tragedy struck the town of St. Johnsbury, Vermonters continue to do their part to remember Melissa Jenkins. And on Saturday, Newport residents did their part, holding a fundraiser for Jenkins' two year old son, Ty.
Married couple -- Allen and Patricia Prue of Waterford, Vermont have been charged with the brutal murder of Jenkins in late March.
It seems like the entire state is wrapping its arms around Ty. In one small town, more than 150 items were donated to go toward his future... Burgers and raffle tickets were sold, bottles were donated and tips were given to those who pumped gas for those needing to fill up- all of that money raised will go toward supporting Ty. "I think that even with economic times being the way they are, every dollar that's come together for this little boy is going to be so beneficial for his future," Ty-supporter, Michelle Rossi said.
Support for the St. Johnsbury woman ... strangled to death just miles from her home ... has spread across the entire state ... and it's no different for a small group of Newport, Vermont gas station employees with big hearts. They've come together to raise money for the two year old son she leaves behind. "As tragic as it is, I hope that it's not something that he remembers, but I hope that his family carries on his mother's memory for him, so that that will always live within his soul," Rossi said.
At such a young age ... Ty may not have memories of that dreadful day, but he may very well need emotional and financial support down the road. "Possibly go to school later on in life, I can only assume that he may need counseling at some point in his lifetime," Rossi added. "He's not going to be able to grow up and live a normal life knowing what happened to his mom, especially if he saw what happened," Ty-supporter, Allauna Benware said.
Benware says this story hits close to home--- as she also has a two year old son. "Even if you don't know them, a lot of people are for the little boy and are trying to help him the most that they can," Benware said.
The more than one thousand dollars the Newport Car Wash raised, will go right into an account that's been set up for Ty. He's currently living with Melissa Jenkins' parents in Troy, Vermont.
