Community Unites for Scott, Perez Families

McKENZIE (September 11) — When the train accident on Saturday, September 6, left the Carroll County community reeling over the sudden loss of Luke Scott and Martin Perez, Lindsay Robinson, owner of LaLa’s BBQ, saw an opportunity to help the grieving families.

“I, like everyone else, was at a loss of how to show my love and support during such a tragic situation,” Robinson shared via LaLa’s BBQ’s Facebook page. Having known Scott and his family personally, she felt a need to help.

Robinson partnered with McKenzie’s Phipps Pharmacy and Huntingdon’s Cash Saver to host a donation-only fundraiser to raise money for burial expenses for Scott and Perez.

Robinson and her daughter, McKalee Graham, set up a tent at Phipps Pharmacy on Thursday, September 11, to sell 320 smoked bologna and pulled pork barbecue sandwich meals — including a bottle of water and a bag of chips — beginning at 10 a.m. Sales were donation-based, so anyone could pay via cash donation or through Robinson’s Venmo or CashApp. While Robinson’s sandwich combos were typically $8, she urged customers to give whatever they could afford.

Allison and Brice Webb, owners of A&B Minis & Mobile Petting Zoo, decided Thursday morning to bring some of their petting zoo animals to Phipps Pharmacy to help gather donations.

Robinson ran out of sandwiches within three hours on the first day.

That night, she regrouped and prepared 320 more sandwich combos for Friday. She and the Webbs set up for another day of fundraising — this time, at Cash Saver.

Robinson shared her thanks on Facebook Friday night. “Carroll County sure united at my little tents the last two days and I’m forever thankful,” she wrote.

The train/automobile accident on September 6 was the second accident on Harris Road in less than a month. Since the accident, Carroll County politicians have met and discussed measures to make the train crossing safer for car drivers. At this time, the train crossing at Harris Road is closed to car traffic.