Thomas Jefferson students raise funds for family

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Angelica Castillo, standing on ladder, is joined by volunteers and fellow classmates for a carwash and food truck fundraiser for the family of Kimberly Lopez, a fellow classmate and leadership student who drowned at Eastman Lake on July 3. The event made about $3,000 to help with funeral expenses.

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On Tuesday, students at Thomas Jefferson Middle School organized a car wash and food event fundraiser in memory of Kimberly Lopez, who drowned at Eastman Lake on July 3. Kimberly was 13 years old, and died just before the start of her eighth grade year.

The organizers of the fundraiser were students of the leadership team at TJ. According to Angelica Castillo, associated student body president, about 20 students helped with the car wash. With the vendors that were present, and the car wash itself, the students raised about $3,000 to help Kimberly’s family with the funeral and burial expenses.

If anyone would like to make a donation to help the family, you may contact Principal Guzman or Mr. Steven Hernan at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.