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Community coming together again for Griebel children
Community coming together again for Griebel children
GERMANTOWN/FRANKLIN/CUDAHY (WITI) -- On a day meant for celebrating mothers, five children from Colgate are mourning the loss of theirs. Monica Griebel and her husband, Josh were recently killed in a violent car crash. On this Mother's Day, the community came together again in an effort to help the five children left behind.
Cars rolled through the Sudz Wash and Lube on Sunday -- with drivers hoping to shower the Griebel children with support.
After hearing about the crash that killed Josh and Monica Griebel, many in Germantown were concerned for the five children left behind.
The crash occurred early Friday morning, April 25th on Highway 164.
Investigators say the Griebels were in a car that crossed the center line, entered a ditch, hit a culvert, went airborne, and slammed into a tree.
Josh and Monica Griebel were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Griebel children range in age from 13 years to 16 months.
"A tragedy like that -- that`s when people have to step up and come forward and do something. It's for a good cause. Anytime you can donate, you donate," Kevin Kelber said.
The Sudz Wash and Lube fundraiser was planned by Sudz owner, David Ausloos.
"It's heartbreaking. The community needs to help these people out the best way they can," Ausloos said.
Josh Griebel's sister and brother-in-law are now caring for Griebel's five children. They have two children of their own.
"They went from a family of four to nine overnight," Ausloos said.
Ausloos said the Sudz Wash and Lube fundraiser will gather money that will be put towards a van for the Griebel children.
"What they needed was a van large enough to accommodate the whole entire family. Ewald's Auto Group immediately stepped in and loaned them a van for their use, and I thought 'well, we need to find a way to make it permanent,'" Ausloos said.
Ausloos is trying to raise money for a 12-passenger van similar to the van currently loaded to the Griebel children.
"I decided that $34,000 would get them into a very nice vehicle and I would donate half of that and see if we could get our customers and community to come and donate the other half, so I decided to match whatever donation someone brought in," Ausloos said.
Donations are being accepted at all three Sudz Wash and Lube locations -- in Germantown, Franklin and Cudahy.
Money for the van will be accepted through May 31st.
There are other ways you can help the Griebel children.
A fund called "The Griebel Fabulous Five" has been set up via GoFundMe.com. That fund has a goal of $50,000 -- at and last check, over $23,000 has been raised.
CLICK HERE to make a donation via the GoFundMe.com fund.
CLICK HERE to find a Tri City Bank location near you.
CLICK HERE to find a Culver's location near you.
CLICK HERE to learn more about that fundraiser.