WHIDBEY ISLAND — The Whidbey Island community is rallying around a local family whose little girl was killed by a falling tree on Christmas Day.
Multiple community groups are organizing fundraisers for the girl’s family and her father, who was seriously injured in the crash. Details of those fundraisers were firming up Tuesday.
Tobiah Leonard, 9, of Clinton, died Sunday afternoon when high winds knocked a tree branch into her family’s car as they drove along Bailey Road, south of Clinton, officials said.
Her father, Tim Leonard, has been moved out of the intensive care unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, a hospital spokeswoman said. He was listed in satisfactory condition Tuesday.
Her mother, Julie Janeshefskie, is a member of the Jet City Rollergirls, and the group is one of many raising money to help the family.
The Rollergirls had raised about $13,000 as of Tuesday afternoon, said Elaine Norton, a spokeswoman for the group. They are collecting donations and messages of support for the family via their Facebook page, “Jet City Rollergirls.”
Friends of the family also have set up another Facebook support page, “Tim &Julie’s Extended (Community) Family.” More than 500 people had joined as of Tuesday evening.
A private gathering was planned Tuesday night on Whidbey Island for children who knew Tobiah or may be affected by her death.
Details about a formal memorial have not yet been made public.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
How to donate
Donations for the family are being accepted under the “The Tim Leonard Family Fund” account at Whidbey Island Bank.
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