Train Tragedy Fundraisers Bring An Outpouring Of Support From The Community
By: Matthew Farrell
Updated: November 19, 2012
MIDLAND -- The Texas Roadhouse restaurants in Midland and Odessa, as well as the Gatti's Pizza locations in Midland and Odessa, are donating a portion of Monday night's dinner sales to the victims and their families of the train tragedy.
For those that came out to support the cause, Thursday's incident was still fresh in their minds.
"It's a tragedy," Michael Campbell remembered.
Sometimes, though, tragedy can bring out the best in people.
After 4 veterans were killed Thursday when a freight train crashed into the Show of Support parade float they were riding on, people all over the Permian Basin have been looking for ways to help.
Monday night, many got to do so just by eating dinner.
"It was a horrible tragedy, and we love helping our community in any way possible," one Midland resident told us.
The Texas Roadhouse restaurants of Midland and Odessa are donating 10% of all meal sales to the Complex Community Federal Credit Union victim's fund.
The outpouring of support was so strong the restaurant, at times, had waits approaching an hour.
"It's a good thing. It was a black eye for the community, you know for bad things to happen," Campbell continued.
Meanwhile, across town at Gatti's Pizza, a similar event was taking place.
Alvin Johnson explained why he and his son were dining there Monday night.
"The fundraiser for the tragedy that happened on the railroad tracks over off of Garfield," Johnson explained.
Gatti's Pizza is donating 15% of all dinner sales to help the train tragedy victims and their families.
Many say this support in time of need makes them proud to be West Texans.
"You can see how great a city like Midland really is. Everyone comes together, regardless of any situation or who it is, they all come together," Johnson continued.
Many that we talked to were happy to donate what they could to the cause, and some had a message for the victims and their families.
"We'd just like to send out our prayers for the veterans families and hope everyone that was injured gets well," a group of diners said.
You can still help the victims and their families by donating directly to benefit accounts.
Two local banks have funds set up.
Western National Bank and Complex Community Federal Credit Union both say you can make donations at any Midland or Odessa location.
For those that came out to support the cause, Thursday's incident was still fresh in their minds.
"It's a tragedy," Michael Campbell remembered.
Sometimes, though, tragedy can bring out the best in people.
After 4 veterans were killed Thursday when a freight train crashed into the Show of Support parade float they were riding on, people all over the Permian Basin have been looking for ways to help.
Monday night, many got to do so just by eating dinner.
"It was a horrible tragedy, and we love helping our community in any way possible," one Midland resident told us.
The Texas Roadhouse restaurants of Midland and Odessa are donating 10% of all meal sales to the Complex Community Federal Credit Union victim's fund.
The outpouring of support was so strong the restaurant, at times, had waits approaching an hour.
"It's a good thing. It was a black eye for the community, you know for bad things to happen," Campbell continued.
Meanwhile, across town at Gatti's Pizza, a similar event was taking place.
Alvin Johnson explained why he and his son were dining there Monday night.
"The fundraiser for the tragedy that happened on the railroad tracks over off of Garfield," Johnson explained.
Gatti's Pizza is donating 15% of all dinner sales to help the train tragedy victims and their families.
Many say this support in time of need makes them proud to be West Texans.
"You can see how great a city like Midland really is. Everyone comes together, regardless of any situation or who it is, they all come together," Johnson continued.
Many that we talked to were happy to donate what they could to the cause, and some had a message for the victims and their families.
"We'd just like to send out our prayers for the veterans families and hope everyone that was injured gets well," a group of diners said.
You can still help the victims and their families by donating directly to benefit accounts.
Two local banks have funds set up.
Western National Bank and Complex Community Federal Credit Union both say you can make donations at any Midland or Odessa location.
