Benefit for 'Baby'
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When someone you love is taken away from you, you hold onto them in different ways - find things to honor them, memorialize them and keep their spirit alive.
When Rachelle Baskey was shot and killed by her boyfriend - who then killed himself - earlier this summer, she left behind a lot of people who loved her, including her three-year-old son, Yusef.
To celebrate her life and raise money for her young son, Rachelle's friends, family and former employer, The Pump Bar & Grille, have organized an event certain to become an outpouring of love and support.
The Benefit Jam in Honor of Rachelle "Baby" Baskey will be held from noon to closing time Aug. 26 at The Pump.
There are 16 bands on the roster, promising a wide variety of musical enjoyment.
"They are mostly all of the bands that play regularly at The Pump, and they knew Baby," said Monica Parker, a friend and co-worker.
"Rachelle was a loving honest person," Monica said. "She absolutely lit up the room just being in it. Everyone loved her. You couldn't help it, she was just always happy and laughing.
"She was a great mother and a great friend and a great co-worker. I always looked forward to working the same shift as her. We were always cracking up and having fun. Even if we were slammed we found time to laugh and cut up.
"Just like any other girl, she wanted to raise up her baby right and give him a good life."
And though it's Yusef's father who is now caring for him, through the support and generosity of her community, Rachelle can still fulfill part of her dream for her son. She can still give Yusef a good life.
The benefit will feature, in addition to the vast musical lineup, a hog roast, with a suggested $5 per plate donation.
"Just sweet corn and good, old-fashioned swine," Monica said. "We want to keep it simple with everything that will be going on that day."
Besides music and food, the event will feature flowing brew of all varieties, being served by guest bartenders, who are volunteering their time.
"They will doing as many two-hour shifts as they want to do, along with us regular bartenders," Monica explained. "And we will all donate the tips that we make back to the event to go into the trust fund for her son."
Other events include a silent auction, raffles and a 50/50 drawing, Monica said. Prizes include motorcycle rentals, a leather jacket, a brand new office desk, hotel and cabin packages, pool sticks, T-shirts and gift certificates, Monica said.
With tons of people expected to attend the benefit, The Pump parking lot will be roped off, allowing bike parking only.
"We ask everyone else to park at the American Legion and take the trolleys that will be shuttling people back and forth for free," Monica said.
There is no set admission fee for the event.
"We will be asking only for donations," Monica said.
If you can't attend the benefit, you can still show your support by donating to the trust for Rachelle's son. "You can go to any 5/3 Bank in the state of Ohio. Just tell them it is for the Rachelle Baskey Memorial Fund," Monica explained.
"Rachelle, we will always love you and miss you," Monica said, ending on a personal note. "You will always be our ëBaby'."
Baskey Benefit
WHEN: Noon-close, August 26
WHERE: The Pump, corner of Strub Road and Ohio 4
COST: Free; donations encouraged
INFO: 419-621-1041
E-mail Shannan at hello@funcoast.com.
