Tavern Raises $16k During Fundraiser For Damian Sutton And Abuse Victims

ROMEO (WWJ) - Community members have come together to show overwhelming support for one of their own.

It was only three weeks ago that 2-year-old Damian Sutton's mother Nikki hired in at Younger's Irish Tavern in Romeo.

Despite not knowing her long, owner Glenn Wilhelm and his staff wanted to do something to help.

"My phone has been ringing non-stop for people around in this community and it's the same thing said every time I pick up the phone - its, 'Glenn, what can we do?'" he said.

So Wilhelm opened up his doors for a fundraiser and more than 800 people turned out.

"She was here working the night the terrible incident happened," said Wilhelm. "And myself and the rest of the staff felt very compelled to do whatever we could to support her and the family and came up with the idea of doing an event to bring everyone together.

Eric Koslowski and his wife Leslie knew they had to be there.

"We are not local," said Eric. "But we thought it was important for us to show some support for the family and for the whole situation."

Wilhelm tells WWJ that over $16,000 was raised for the Sutton family and a local child abuse prevention program.

Read more on the story here.