Wapakoneta couple design plaque as fund raiser
Dan Lee, owner of Auglaize and Sidney Audiology, describes himself as community-minded. It was his desire to help that led him to the Rose and Yoakum families. For anyone unfamiliar, high school student Layla Yoakam was killed and classmate Katelyn Rose seriously injured last month in a car crash on Fort Amanda Road.
Though he admitted he didn't know either family, Lee was so moved by the news he decided to take action and developed the idea for a raffle.
"I can't imagine, as a father, the situation that each individual family finds themselves in," Lee said. "… If I ever go through such a situation I would want my community to tell me if they could [help]. So if that would be a want myself, I feel I should apply that to them."
He and Vanessa, his wife, designed a plaque to sell for a community raffle and reached out to artist Todd Gibson for help making it.
"Every single penny, dollar, dime goes to those families," Lee said.
Lee and his wife painted it, but decided the best way to notify the larger community about it (and the money they were trying to raise) was to have the plaque move around the area and provide others the opportunity to give.
So he contacted local businesses, who were happy to have it.
It was at J. Marie's last weekend, is currently stationed in Coffe Amor and has future stops planned at Astro Lanes, Winans, La Grande, Lucky Steer and the YMCA.
Lee said he's already raised 10 percent, or $300, of the $3000 goal.
The plaque will be changing locations until Mar. 8, and a winner drawn Mar. 9.
To purchase an entry, you can
stop by J. Marie's, Coffe Amor or Auglaize and Sidney Audiology. There is also a QR code on Auglaize and Sidney Audiology's Facebook page. Entries are $5 per chance or $10 for three chances. People can buy more than three chances, although anyone interested in donating doesn't have to enter the raffle.
According to Lee the list for potential stops keeps growing.
"I know this will be a success because I know the people of Wapakoneta and surrounding area want to find ways to do good," Lee said. "I hope they see the good in this opportunity."