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Community comes together to pay tribute to Savoy family
Published 1/30/2012 in Local News
By SHAJIA AHMAD
sahmad@gctelegram.com
Dozens of pink and white balloons with messages like "We will never forget you," and "Your smiles will live on forever" written on them, took high into the blue skies Saturday afternoon.
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Brad Nading/Telegram Children jump around in a inflateable bounce house Saturday on the patio area of the Knights of Columbus during a benefit for the Savoy family.
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Volunteers release pink and white balloons Saturday in honor of Nichole, Bryn and Madelyn Savoy during a benefit for the family at the Knights of Columbus.
The words were "letters to heaven" written to and in memory of Nichole, Bryn and Madelyn Savoy, a mother and her two young daughters who were killed in an accidental fire at their home, 4220 E. Nancy Ave., Lot 1108, on Jan. 8.
Volunteers, friends, family and even many acquaintances came together Saturday at the Knights of Columbus, 205 N. Eighth St., to remember and pay tribute to the 26-year-old mother and her 6- and 1-year-old daughters.
At the gathering, balloons of white and pink shades filled the room and small sweet and salty treats tied in bags with pink ribbon decorated the tables.
Pink was the girls' favorite color, and to see the gathering take shape and so many people attend caused mixed emotions for at least one family member.
"It feels really good, but it also really hurts," Kurtis Savoy, Nichole Savoy's brother-in-law, said during Saturday's program. "I really appreciate all the work the volunteers have put in."
The benefit, aimed at raising funds for the Savoy Memorial Fund, in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, featured a silent auction with donated items from individuals and businesses, a bake sale, chili feed and six bands, in addition to four hip-hop artists and an acoustic set. The benefit also featured face painting for balloon animals for the kids, in addition to fire safety information and fire alarms handed out by local fire officials.
Kent Williams, from Fiz Gig, one of the bands that performed Saturday night, said the idea behind Saturday's fundraiser started as a plan to offer the proceeds of a show they originally planned to do that night at another venue.
"After that, people got behind us, and the tiny little rock show turned into a huge concert," Williams said.
Though the drummer admitted he never knew the Savoys, he's done his part over the past three weeks to spearhead Saturday's event in their memory. About 40 volunteers helped serve food, run raffles and the auction, in addition to nearly 100 businesses that donated items for the event.
"It's just beautiful, really. The community has done so much to make this happen. ... We went from a zero-dollar budget, and with the zero dollars we've been able to put together this amazing event," Williams said. "We're a community, but Garden City is also a family community. We want to show our support and love for Mike's girls."
Mike Savoy is Nichole's husband and father to the girls,
Nichole Savoy was born Dec. 16, 1985, in McCook, Neb., the daughter of Rudy C. Overton and Patricia M. Kincaid. She was a receptionist at Mid-west Body Shop in Garden City.
Bryn Savoy was born Aug. 15, 2005, in Wichita. She was a first-grader at Jennie Barker Elementary School. Madelyn Rae "Sissy" Savoy was born June 26, 2010, in Garden City.
The family members attended Cornerstone Church in Garden City.
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