Sgt. Joe Alasio and Detective Ryan Sokerka raised the funds for Franklin Praschil’s check through “No Shave November” t-shirt sales that began in October (SEE: Boy Scout Bringing Memory Garden To Emerson With Help From Police).
They sold 600 shirts and are still trying to sell the remaining 50.
“[The memory garden] is a really important project because Franklin is doing this out of the goodness of his heart,” Alasio told Daily Voice. “He suffered a loss — his grandma passed away — and dealing with death as a child not an easy thing.”
The EPD was mourning the loss of former Capt. David Hayes to prostate cancer at the same time Praschil was grieving for his grandmother, the sergeant said.
“The memory garden is a really good way to remember loved ones in a positive way.” Alasio said. “Emerson is a very tight community — a family town — and things like this just bring the family a little close together.”
The EPD is planning donating $2,500 to Memorial Sloan Kettering in memory of Hayes this winter and the memory garden is expected to be completed in the spring.
Monday’s ceremony will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the police station, 146 Linwood Ave.
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