Food, music event to raise money for boy who was stabbed | Belleville News-Democrat

The West Belleville Promotional Group on Saturday will turn one fundraiser into two.

The organization was already planning its second annual food truck fundraiser to help pay for its promotion of the west end of Belleville. But then organizers decided to add a second cause: raising money for the survivor of a Swansea stabbing.

“We do this because it helps benefit the beautification projects in west Belleville, magazines and to pay for our promotional materials,” group leader Patti Gregory said. “But it was decided that we’re going to be doing a partnership to try to raise donations to help this young man.”

Nicholas Day, 9, survived a stabbing attack Aug. 29 in his Swansea apartment that left his mother, Sharetta Day, 38, dead.

“We’ll be giving a donation through the proceeds,” Gregory said. “Plus, when people buy a beverage we will have a tip jar collecting donations and we’ll give that (money) to him, too.”

Brian Buehlhorn, of the Belleville Jaycees, said his organization was looking for an event to raise money for Nicholas. It just turned out that the West Belleville Promotional Group’s food truck event was a good fit.

“We’re going to donate at least $500 from our proceeds from doing this event,” Buehlhorn said. “Hopefully it will be even more.”

The event will be held from 4-8 p.m. on the parking lot of Althoff Catholic High School at the corner of West Main Street and Frank Scott Parkway. It will feature five food trucks: Steamroller’s Deli and Bagels, St. Louis Taco Truck, Pi, Wing Nuts and Two Girls and Four Wheels.

Organizer Karen Lynn said about 250 people attended the group’s first food truck event last year, and she’s hoping to double that this year.

“These food truck events are very popular in St. Louis,” Lynn said. “We’re hoping to bring some of that urban feel to west Belleville and show these (vendors) what we’re all about.”

There will be music from the band Soul Shake as well as a fashion truck.