[BHS etree] PTSA: Tragedy Strikes Berkeley High Family - Please Help

[bhs at idiom.com]

Contact: Mark van Krieken [mailto:markvk4 at comcast.net] 
 
On May 18th, every parent's worst nightmare came to pass for one of
Berkeley High's families when their Washington Elementary
first-grader, Jamon Lewis, tragically drowned in the lagoon at the Don
Castro Regional Recreation Park here in the East Bay.  Jamon leaves
behind three siblings, including a sister here at Berkeley High, who
are being raised by a single mom who really needs our help.  In
addition to dealing with the huge emotional loss of her son, the mom
struggled to put together the resources for a family celebration of
Jamon's life (funeral services).

Although we can all imagine how horrific such an experience must be,
what many of us probably don't think about is the added economic
difficulty of getting through a death like this for a family with
limited means.  The expense of the funeral services has left the
family in a financial crisis as they turned all their resources
towards providing a proper burial for Jamon.  Many families in the
Washington Elementary community have stepped in to provide food and
meals, but much more is needed.  

A Bank of America account has been established for the family and
contributions can be made to the "Jamon Ware Lewis Memorial Fund" --
account number 0837767510.  Checks or transfers should be sent to:

Bank of America
1536 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, California  94709

If you are able to help, donations of any amount are very much
appreciated.  For more information, please feel free to call Ann
Callegari (644-6939), Washington's Family Resource and After-School
Coordinator, who has been helping the family deal with the crisis.
The family is very much in need of financial, emotional and community
support.  Anything you can contribute will be very much appreciated.

Thank you very much for all you can do,

Mark van Krieken
BHS PTSA President