Local businesses and churches are organizing fundraisers to support the family of Gabriel Maness, the 34-year-old Providence Forge man who was shot and killed last month inside a supermarket in James City County.
Maness died April 17 after being shot inside the Norge Farm Fresh store at 115 Norge Lane. Brian Alan Hicks, 55, of Woodbridge, faces a charge of second-degree murder in connection with Maness’ death.
Now through June 5, shoppers at any Williamsburg Farm Fresh store can donate to a scholarship fund for Maness’ two daughters as they are paying for their groceries. Shoppers are being encouraged to round up the cost of their groceries to the nearest dollar amount and donate that difference plus any additional amount they might choose to the fund.
Stores accepting donations are located at 455 Merrimac Trail in Williamsburg, 4511 John Tyler Highway in Williamsburg and 115 Norge Lane in Norge.
Farm Fresh committed $5,000 to start the scholarship fund.
On Monday, the Studio South hot yoga and barre studio will host “Gabe Maness Memorial Monday.” A community loving-kindness meditation class and a hot flow yoga class will be hosted simultaneously at 4:30 p.m.
Instead of paying for classes, attendees are asked to donate “diapers, dollars, and/or prayers” for the Maness family, according to an event announcement by Katy Henderson, the owner of Studio South.
Donations will be collected from 4 to 6 p.m. at the studio at 410 Lightfoot Road in Williamsburg. There will will be a pop-up Lululemon athletic wear shop at the studio from 4 to 6 p.m., with some proceeds going to the Maness family.
On June 5, Crosswalk Community Church will host a fundraiser for the family featuring fire trucks, food and live music. The event will run from 1 to 5 p.m. in the church parking lot at 7575 Richmond Road in Norge.
Proceeds will go directly to Maness’ wife, Kristy, so donors are asked to write checks out to Kristy Maness.
Event organizers include Williamsburg-James City County Sheriff Bob Deeds, Master Sheriff’s Deputy Alecia Driscoll and Stonehouse Supervisor Sue Sadler. For more information, call Driscoll at 757-345-9221 or email her at alecia.driscoll@jamescitycountyva.gov.
Is your church or business organizing a fundraiser for the Maness family? Let us know so we can add it to the list. Send an email to wyd@wydaily.com.
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