Sun Chevrolet will donate 50 cents for each dollar raised

By Hayleigh Gowans

Staff Writer

A fundraising event has been organized at the East Syracuse Fireman’s Field Days ground to support the victims of a tragic fire that took the lives of two adults and four children at a home on Martin Street in Syracuse on May 6.

The event will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, at the East Syracuse Fireman’s Field Days grounds, 600 Hartwell Avenue, East Syracuse. It will include food, music, a 50/50 raffle, basket raffles, a bounce house, face painting and t-shirt and bracelet sales. The event is being sponsored by Sun Chevrolet Inc., and the use of the field day grounds has been donated by the East Syracuse Fire Department. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door.

Todd Caputo, president of Sun Chevrolet Inc., has agreed to match 50 cents to each dollar raised, and will contribute up to a $20,000 donation. All money raised during the benefit will go to immediate family members of the victims to provide financial support during this tragic time.

The May 6 fire at 212 Martin St. in Syracuse, which was deemed accidental by authorities, took the lives of six family members: Cassondra Kay Anderton, 7; Jacob Anderton, 10; Lawrence Anderton, 12; Kevin Anderton Jr., 13; William Yager, 33; and Gordon Anderton, 34.

Ila Young, a family member of the victims and an employee of Sun Chevrolet, said the benefit was organized because of the large amount of support the public offered to her family after the fire.

“This event was started because of a tremendous outpouring of support my family has received and our wonderful community members asking how they can help,” said Young. “With an event this tragic touching so many people’s lives, there just had to be a way to band together and do something important and meaningful.”

Young said those interested in volunteering for the event or donating a basket can contact her at 350-9957 or email [email protected].

Monetary donations can be made to Kevin Anderton, P.O. Box 75, Chittenango, NY, 13037 or can be dropped off at any Sun Chevrolet location.

For more information about the event, search “Martin Street Fire Victims Benefit” on Facebook or follow the hashtags “#bandtogether” or “#CKJLGW” on Twitter.