WRIGLEYVILLE— Chicago Bears tight end Kellen Davis is heading up a fundraising effort for the Bears fan who was senselessly killed last weekend at a Jacksonville, Fla., bar.
Davis' marketing agent, Wayne Jett said he hoped the campaign would gain national attention, so the slain fan's family would be more financially secure. The victim, Chris Pettry, supported his wife, who is a stay-at-home mom, and three kids, by running his own business.
"We want to protect the family," said Jett, "not only financially, but we'll see what we can do further, in terms of therapy or whatever else."
Davis and Jett launched a national campaign through a fundraising website, youcaring.com, and have organized an event tomorrow from 5-9 p.m. at John Barleycorn in Wrigleyville.
"We asked the family what they were planning to do to fund raise," said Jett, "and they said they were just going to do a small event and invite friends and family. We said, 'No, no, no, let's do this big.'"
Jett said they were able to plan the event and launch the online campaign over the last day and a half; less than 24 hours after the site's launch, the campaign had raised more than $3,000 and gone viral via social media, with more than 200 tweets on Twitter and 49 shares on Facebook.
Kellen Davis tweeted last night, "Please make donation to support Bears Fan killed in Jacksonville" with the link to the campaign.
The word quickly spread, and Bears fans and supporters quickly sent their own support. Nathan Kyle tweeted: "Senseless violence."@KellenDavis87: Please make donation to support Bears Fan killed in Jacksonville."
Lauren Craig tweeted: "Calling all bears fans “@KellenDavis87: Please make donation to support Bears Fan killed in Jacksonville."
For more information about the event or to make a donation, check out the site.
