Fallen Trooper's Family To Benefit From Chili's 'Give Back Event' On Monday
DENVER, Colo. (CBS4) - Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants across Colorado will host an all-day Give Back Event Monday to raise funds in support of the family of a fallen state trooper.
Trooper Jaimie Jursevics was hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver in November while investigating a wreck on Interstate 25.
Fifteen percent of Chili's net proceeds Monday will go to Jursevics' family. Just bring an appetite, and mention the Trooper Jursevics' fundraiser to the server.
The efforts began at the Chili's South Monaco location where Jursevics and her husband had a special connection. Restaurant management says Jursevics was a regular customer there.
When an employee heard of Jursevics' tragic death, he stepped up to help in a big way.
"(He) called me and said, 'Kelly, what can we do for Trooper Jaimie and her family?'" said Kelly Tynan, Operations Director for Chili's. Tynan says a single phone call from an employee exploded into a sea of support for the fallen state trooper.
"When Jaimie graduated from the academy, the place that she wanted to go and celebrate was Chili's here at South Monaco," Tynan said of the longtime customer.
In the Give Back Event, Chili's will donate 15 percent of net proceeds raised Monday to help Jursevics' husband and the 8-month-old daughter she left behind.
"The holiday season is a difficult time for anybody. Personally, I can't imagine what is going through Trooper Jursevics' family's hearts right now," said Sgt. Rob Madden of the Colorado State Patrol.
Madden says Jursevics' colleagues are uplifted by the local efforts that quickly expanded to every Chili's in the state.
"There was not one person that didn't jump on board immediately," said Madden. "And for us, that feels good, to know that that support's out there."
Tynan says it's an honor to give back to someone who dedicated her life to serving her fellow citizens.
"We are honored to be able to support in whatever small way we can," said Tynan.
Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.
