North Bay community rallies beyond donations to help others heal after Archie High students killed in crash
SAN ANSELMO — When Pat Townsley heard of the tragic crash that took the lives of four Marin County high school students, he immediately channeled his restaurant's website into an informational hub for his community.
"I did this as a knee-jerk reaction, just to get these resources out there because I knew I could," Townsley said.
He wanted families of the victims and anyone willing to help to have access to an easy one-stop shop website. Many have donated meals, venues for memorial services, and more through his site.
"Here's a new message: 'I am gifting trauma therapy. How can I help?' " Townsley said.
Reading hundreds of heartfelt messages of hope and sadness, reflecting on his own children who went to Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo, and attending the vigil, have been part of an emotional week.
"I didn't say a word. I just kept my head down and just listened, grieved, and heard the tears and their stories. It was absolutely heartbreaking," Townsley said.
The bar at Creekside Pizza & Taproom has become his office to continuously update and provide links offering help. Leslie Matteuci, a Reiki master, found other volunteers and therapists through Townsley's website.
"I would not have known where to go, despite feeling really called to help. I wouldn't have known where to show up or who to contact," Matteuci said.
Sally Newson helped coordinate volunteers to gather at Camp Arequipa in Fairfax to provide a safe space for students in need of healing.
"We have had over 60 volunteers, people from the community reaching out, asking, 'What can I do to help?' " Newson said,
"I saw the GoFundMe sites. I can't provide support financially, but I thought I could provide support in this way," Aida Lopez said.
One woman whose brother attended Archie Williams and was involved in a similar wreck years ago came to the grief support drop-in program.
"I just wanted to come out and help in any way I can with the kids and just be there for them," she said.
"Even if we didn't know the girls directly, or know their families directly. You can feel it, the grief and the loss in this town," Matteuci said.
For Townsley, the work to inform and connect others continues.
"I hope more people are able to come here and use this as a resource as we find out what events will be coming up how we can further support the families and the students of the school," Townsley said.
It's not a new endeavor for Townsley to bring his neighbors together, but this is a tragedy he could never have imagined. He's doing his part to help.
The restaurant is not organizing any of the GoFundMe efforts but has links to them on its website, including one that will be dispersed to all victims' families.
