EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — One family going through tragedy is getting some financial support this month. It’s all thanks to an Effingham business that’s acting as a platform for community generosity.
It was April 24th when the Warren family lost their little boy. James Austin Warren was just 7 months old when a car crash north of Effingham took his life. Now, parents Brittni Karnes and Jordan Warren are seeing support from the community.
“It has been hard, but he’s not truly gone,” Warren said. “He will forever live through me and to Brittni and to our family and friends.”
Ginger Ale’s in Effingham wanted to extend emotional support into financial support.
“Anything that we can collect can go to help them, just in whatever healing process that they need,” Owner Casey Walk said.
Each month, the restaurant staff decides to help a family or organization in need. Walk said it’s all through the generosity of customers and staff.
“We just kind of presented to them, like, what they would like to do, and they made the decision to start collecting it,” she said, “not looking at them as tips, but looking at them as donations.”
Now, when customers drive-thru the location, they can give change or donations to help.
Chloe Koester is the assistant manager. She said the entire staff just wants to show their support to the family.
“I know it’s not going to make anything better, but hopefully it’ll help them pay for, I know, hospital bills, expenses, just stuff like that,” Koester said, “kind of help them stay afloat in a really awful time.”
The family said the money will help them pay for Warren’s medical bills following the crash. But for now: gratitude and grief.
“Just really grateful for everything that everybody’s doing,” Karnes said.
“Honestly, I appreciate everybody’s support and like I said, my biggest concern, what I want most of all, is for everyone to remember his memory,” Warren said. “Still taking it day by day because he will forever live and his memory will forever live through us.”
Ginger Ale’s owner tells me there’s really no end goal in mind. They’re just trying to collect as much money for this family as they can before the end of the month hits.
