Their father was tragically killed when a tree fell on his car during those massive storms the day after the 4th of July. But on Tuesday night Chris Zimmerman's two young children got a nice surprise, courtesy of the community's generosity.
Seth, 7, and Tawny, 4, got clothes, shoes, even toys, thanks to fundraisers. Earlier this month, the family went through the unthinkable. The kids were with their dad at his home in Holland when a storm hit. Nearly 90 mph winds tore through the neighborhood bringing down dozens of trees. One landed on Zimmerman's car while he was inside, killing him. His kids saw it all.
"Being there on the porch seeing the whole incident, that's breath taking," Rebecca Bays, family friend said. "I could never imagine what they are going through."
But it was then, when Bays stepped up. She spearheaded three different car washes to raise money for the Zimmerman kids. The first raised about $1000 to go toward funeral costs. The rest went toward new clothes and shoes for the upcoming school year.
Though it was an exciting gift for the little ones, it's been a tough road. And even though they are young, Bays says they have their moments of sadness, learning to live without their dad.
"They were there so that is something they'll always remember. It is a tragedy and its going to be hard for them to get over that," Bays said.
There was some money left over. Bays says that will be put into trust funds for the kids.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:15:15 GMT
Most of us wouldn't be able to swim across Lake Erie, so imagine doing it with a debilitating condition. A Maumee man with Crohn's disease is training to cross the lake to help raise money and awareness
Maumee man set to swim across Lake Erie in an effort to raise money for help Crohn's disease research.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:12:43 GMT
Five St. Ursula students traveled to Washington, DC to be honored with the Jefferson Award for Community Service. As part of their trip, they met with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Washington Bureau Chief
Five St. Ursula students traveled to Washington, DC to be honored with the Jefferson Award for Community Service. As part of their trip, they met with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Washington Bureau Chief Jacqueline Policastro tagged along during their visit.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:09:35 GMT
Changes in technology are forcing Blissfield Manufacturing to close one plant and expand another. The company made the tough decision to shut down its Portland, Indiana plant as the owners work hard
Blissfield company announces it is closing a plant in Indiana and consolidating operations in its Blissfield headquarters adding 73 jobs.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:06:31 GMT
A warrant has been issued for a suspect in a shooting Tuesday afternoon. It happened on Jervis near Bloomfield in Toledo. Investigators say Jacob Rosas met the suspect to sell a car to him, but the suspect
A warrant has been issued for a suspect in a shooting Tuesday afternoon. It happened on Jervis near Bloomfield in Toledo.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:51:41 GMT
After more than 4 inches of rain in the first half of June, northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Spraying is underway in hopes of reducing the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses.
After more than 4 inches of rain in the first half of June, northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Spraying is underway in hopes of reducing the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:18 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:18:19 GMT
Toledo firefighters are on the scene of a house fire in Toledo. The fire broke out at a home on the 1100 block of Avondale just after 11:30pm Tuesday. Dispatchers tell us heavy flames are showing.
Toledo firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire in Toledo. Firefighters say they found a strong odor of gasoline inside of the home, indicating the house was possibly the target of a firebombing.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:15:15 GMT
Most of us wouldn't be able to swim across Lake Erie, so imagine doing it with a debilitating condition. A Maumee man with Crohn's disease is training to cross the lake to help raise money and awareness
Maumee man set to swim across Lake Erie in an effort to raise money for help Crohn's disease research.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:12:43 GMT
Five St. Ursula students traveled to Washington, DC to be honored with the Jefferson Award for Community Service. As part of their trip, they met with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Washington Bureau Chief
Five St. Ursula students traveled to Washington, DC to be honored with the Jefferson Award for Community Service. As part of their trip, they met with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Washington Bureau Chief Jacqueline Policastro tagged along during their visit.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:09:35 GMT
Changes in technology are forcing Blissfield Manufacturing to close one plant and expand another. The company made the tough decision to shut down its Portland, Indiana plant as the owners work hard
Blissfield company announces it is closing a plant in Indiana and consolidating operations in its Blissfield headquarters adding 73 jobs.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:06:31 GMT
A warrant has been issued for a suspect in a shooting Tuesday afternoon. It happened on Jervis near Bloomfield in Toledo. Investigators say Jacob Rosas met the suspect to sell a car to him, but the suspect
A warrant has been issued for a suspect in a shooting Tuesday afternoon. It happened on Jervis near Bloomfield in Toledo.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:51:41 GMT
After more than 4 inches of rain in the first half of June, northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Spraying is underway in hopes of reducing the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses.
After more than 4 inches of rain in the first half of June, northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Spraying is underway in hopes of reducing the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:50:16 GMT
Royal Cravings opened its newest and biggest location Wednesday. The new location is at 2111 North Reynolds Road, next to Schmucker's Good Food. The shop has added 32 flavors of ice cream to their menu
Royal Cravings opened its newest and biggest location Wednesday. The new location is at 2111 North Reynolds Road, next to Schmucker's Good Food.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:36 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:36:45 GMT
A woman told authorities she was held captive for more than a year by three people who forced her to do housework, raided her bank account and menaced her with snakes and pit bulls. But an attorney
A woman told authorities she was held captive for more than a year by three people who forced her to do housework, raided her bank account and menaced her with snakes and pit bulls.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:34:58 GMT
Instead of enjoying summer fun, they're hitting the books so they can graduate. Around 80 students are enrolled in the STRIVE program this summer, hoping to pass the Ohio Graduation Test. For Robert Evans,
Instead of enjoying summer fun, they're hitting the books so they can graduate. Around 80 students are enrolled in the STRIVE program this summer, hoping to pass the Ohio Graduation Test.
Some additional federal dollars are coming to Ohio for housing demolitions, and some of that money is coming to Toledo. The Toledo Blade’s Tom Troy joins us with the details.
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