He lost his life five years ago: Robbie Wilde's family celebrating his life & helping others through blood drive

KENOSHA (WITI) -- Five years ago Saturday, July 26th, a young Kenosha man lost his life when he was shot and killed during an armed robbery. This year and last, Robbie Wilde's family has celebrated his life by giving others the gift of life.

Robbie Wilde was a son, a brother, and a friend to many.

"You`re with him for 18 years. You have your hopes and dreams and just like that somebody took it all away," Robbie's mother, Tammy Wilde said.

In 2009, Robbie Wilde was working at Shirl's Custard in Kenosha. Around 9:30 on a summer night, the place was robbed.

The attack started outside near a dumpster, where two gunmen ambushed one of the restaurant's workers. They shot him, and then made their way inside.

"He found his way into the back, and at some point during the evening, they shot my son as well. And he made his way out to the drive-in where he collapsed," Tammy Wilde said.

The pain of Tammy Wilde's loss still lingers, five years later.

"I sometimes forget when I sleep at night and I wake up and say 'oh, I`m going to call Robbie and see what he`s doing today.' And then it`s just like 'I can`t call Robbie,'" Tammy Wilde said.

Tammy Wilde has chosen to turn her sadness into something positive. Last year, Robbie Wilde's family started the "Robbie Wilde Blood Drive."

Danielle Gaudio donated blood for the first time on Sunday, July 27th.

"For the family and definitely for Robbie. He was a very, very kind-hearted, genuine, loving person," Gaudio said.

It is those traits that brought dozens out to give back, just as Robbie did when he was a teenager.

"Robbie was an avid blood donor since he was 16 years old. He was an organ tissue donor as well and so he`s been able to help many people even though he`s not here anymore," Tammy Wilde.

Tammy Wilde hopes this blood drive will inspire others to continue to give the gift of life.

Sunday's blood drive ran from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and took place at Shirl's Custard -- in the BloodCenter Mobile Bus.

Next weekend, the BloodCenter of Wisconsin is hosting a community blood drive in Harbor Park to help meet the critical need for blood during the summer months.

The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Kenosha Public Museum.

If you'd like to donate blood and help save lives -- CLICK HERE to visit the BloodCenter of Wisconsin's website to make an appointment -- and to learn about BloodCenter events.