Saturday, October 17, 2009
A community comes together to raise funds for burned victim
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- A community came together to raise money for a teenager who is recovering from burns to more than 60 percent of his body.
Residents came together Saturday in support of 15-year-old Michael Brewer and his family in more ways than one. Donations came in for the boy who will likely not get to play with his friends for a very long time. "I would say everybody should do everything they can to educate their children and donate any funds they can," said Dana Chase. "It's the right thing to do. It's a terrible tragedy, and I'm able to."
On Monday, the Deerfield Middle School student went to the Lime Tree Apartments to visit a friend. Five suspects approached Michael with a jar of rubbing alcohol and a lighter. When Brewer tried to walk away, police said, 15-year-old Denver Jarvis splashed him with alcohol and Jesus Mendez, also 15, used a lighter to set him ablaze. Police said Brewer jumped into a nearby pool to extinguish the flames and left his burned clothes on the lawn.
"It just tears me apart. How could these kids do this? What's going on in the world today?" Brewer's uncle, Robert Moberg said.
Maria Marrena's son, German, was in the same class as Michael. "He just gave his money he was saving for a Halloween costume and gave it to Michael's family," said Marrena.
Michael Brewer's family does not have health insurance, so they can use all the help they can get.
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