fundraiser

Published on: March 15, 2026

Inmate Charged with Escape at Sheriff’s BBQ

An inmate assigned to help at a sheriff’s office fundraiser in Florida was reportedly charged with attempted escape after leaving his work assignment to meet a woman inside a portable toilet during the event.

According to reports, the incident occurred last Wednesday during the 32nd annual barbecue fundraiser hosted by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office in Vero Beach, Florida. The event included jail tours and demonstrations by SWAT and K9 units. Attendees were also offered food such as hot dogs and barbecue plates.

Authorities said several inmates were allowed to assist with the fundraiser as part of a trustee work program. These inmates were assigned duties such as serving food and helping maintain the event grounds.

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Published on: December 20, 2018

Woman Scammed Donations Intended for Holy Fire Crews

by Staycie R. Sena

A San Juan Capistrano woman who said she was married to a firefighter started a fundraiser that was claimed to be support for active fire crews has been accused of accepting thousands of dollars in donations that she allegedly intended to keep for herself.

In August, posts on several social media sites containing pictures of a woman and a firefighter that she said was her husband were created in an attempt to ask the public for donations to assist the people working with him to contain the Holy Fire, which burned approximately 23,000 acres in Southern California.

After seeing the request for donations, several local establishments and individuals contributed their offerings to the cause by giving money and goods such as camping equipment, baby wipes, and other helpful items.

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Published on: November 6, 2018

Fraud Suspects Used Child’s Cancer Campaign for Fundraising

by Staycie R. Sena

Three people have been accused of allegedly accepting money from donors after claiming they were family members of a little girl with cancer, and it was discovered that they allegedly have no relation to the child or the fundraising efforts for her recovery.

The family of a 6-year-old girl named Kaylee who was diagnosed with a type of cancer called Wilms’ tumor, which mostly affects youngsters and is found in the kidneys, started a fundraiser in hopes of gaining financial support for their daughter’s medical needs. A campaign that they dubbed “Kicking it with Kaylee” was created by the child’s relatives to raise awareness of their cause.

People in Syracuse, New York, and some surrounding neighborhoods reported that they were visited at their homes by three people who said they were Kaylee’s family members that presented a picture of the child when asking for donations. It is believed that the photo was taken from an online news site and being used to help convince people that they were legitimate proponents for the cause, and donators allegedly gave hundreds of dollars in support.

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