TEUTOPOLIS – Saturday’s Benefit for Walker and Rosie Bryan’s Memorial Fun Park raised over $45,000, which included free-will donations, a meal, a live auction and a performance from the Bryor Rhodes Band.
Along with the fundraiser, Beecher City CUSD 20, where Walker and Rosie attended, raised $2,221.24 through a penny war, hat day and teacher jean days.
An online auction that closed Sunday night raised money for the cause, as well.
These funds will go towards installing two pump tracks and park upgrades in the Beecher City Community Park because the children enjoyed riding their bikes and going to the park.
The two children died with their father, Kenneth Bryan, in the 2023 anhydrous ammonia leak near Teutopolis.
Ashtyn Mellendorf and Becky Doty, both cousins of Walker and Rosie, are working with their mother Macy Reed to construct the pump tracks and park upgrades in the park.
After the meal, the live auction saw 57 items sold and lasted about an hour and a half. Items ranged from homemade pies to loads of rocks to St. Louis Cardinal tickets. Some items sold for more than $1,000, like a few of the pies.
“I think this just means so much more to people than money,” said Mellendorf. “My favorite was my aunt’s pie went for $1,600. She would be an aunt for the kids that passed away, so that was really special.”
More than one hundred items were available for the online auction including wreaths, a $1,000 Mid State Construction and Roofing gift card and two Green Bay Packers home game tickets.
The Bryor Rhodes Band performed after the auction with both kids and adults dancing in front of the stage.
From presenting auction items to helping with the food, dozens of volunteers donated their time to help set up, run and clean up the event.
Jessica Forees, 42, is the Beecher City local hairdresser and lived down the street from Walker and Rosie. She used to do Reed’s hair.
“They were good kids, fantastic kids,” said Forees. “They were full of life and energy.”
She donated both her time and gift certificates to the cause.
“The people that volunteer here have worked hard and endless hours… They’re amazing people,” said Forees. “Beecher City is a strong community. They stick together. They help their people. This shows it. They are 100 percent committed to helping the people, and they will, and this shows it. This is a packed house.”
Both Mellendorf and Doty explained how thankful they are for everything people have done.
“There’s so many people that were touched by this, so many people that want to see their memories in a good light,” said Doty.
“Everybody was so generous and kind and gracious. They give so much in these communities.”
“It’s awesome,” said Mellendorf. “It puts a smile on all of our faces, that’s for sure.”