Theater Shooting Victim Holds 'Pay It Forward' Fundraiser For Wildfire Victims
FLORENCE, Colo. (CBS4) - Aurora theater shooting victim Caleb Medley and his wife are helping victims of Colorado wildfires.
The Medleys live in Florence and are helping raise money for people whose homes were destroyed in the Black Forest and Wild Gorge fires.
Dozens gathered in Florence on Saturday to help Caleb and his wife Katy pay it forward any way that they can. They even had a bus set up for blood donations. While they didn't have a set goal in mind for how much money they wanted to raise, they just want to help. They say laughter is the best medicine, a remedy that Caleb wants to give back to the community.
"If anybody can come through this and survive, it's Caleb," event supporter Charlene Threet said.
Threet knows Caleb from around town and said seeing him in a wheelchair is tough.
"That broke my heart. I was hoping we could come here and see Caleb do some comedy because that was always his dream; maybe someday that will happen," Threet said. "It's a really slow process for him."
Caleb and Katy turned the tragedy into a benefit. They talked to CBS4 last week and they are just so thankful for everything that everybody has done that they just wanted to show their appreciation and show everybody to look on the bright side of life.
RELATED: Aurora Theater Shooting Victim's Son Is His Motivation In Recovery
"They've really talked to us this last week and they're just so thankful for everything that everybody has done that they just wanted to show their appreciation," event supporter Kathy Barnes said.
"We think it's awesome what he is doing," Threet said. "Everybody gave for him and now he wanting to give back."
Caleb and his family did not want to give any on-camera interviews. They said that they want the fundraiser to become an annual event.
Wildfire Resources
- Visit CBSDenver.com's Wildfire Resources section.
- Read recent Wildfire stories.
Wildfire Photo Galleries
- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.
