Del Ray Business Community Raises Over $26,000 for Family of Rose Cruz

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The Del Ray business community hosted a fundraiser Tuesday night that raised $26,221.35 for the family of Rose Cruz, a beloved restaurant employee, friend, neighbor, and mother of four who died from injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle Dec. 1.

Cruz, 49, passed away Dec. 4 from injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Mt. Vernon Avenue at W. Glebe Road. She lived in Alexandria with her husband and their 10-year-old and 12-year-old daughters. Her 26-year-old daughter and a 19-year-old son live in the Philippines. Cruz worked as the deli manager at Market2Market.

During the "Rally for Rose" fundraiser Tuesday, restaurants on the St. Elmo's block of Mt. Vernon Avenue -- Market2Market, St. Elmo's Coffee Pub, Holy Cow, and Pork Barrel BBQ -- offered special menu items for a donation; the dinner fundraiser raised $11,380 for the family of Rose Cruz.

In addition,a number of Del Ray businesses donated over $5,000 in gift certificates and items for a raffle that was held during the event; the raffle, plus cash donations, raised an additional $14,841.35

"She brought so much love to all of us, her family, our staff, our customers, the whole community," said Larry Ponzi, the owner of Market2Market, St. Elmo's Coffee Pub, and Cafe Pizzaiolo. Cruz was the deli manager at Market2Market.

"It was a wonderful night showcasing the spirit of Del Ray," said Bill Blackburn, president of the Del Ray Business Association and co-owner of Pork Barrel BBQ. "Rose was a positive force in our community, this tragedy leaves a painful wound."

For those who want to make a donation, a GoFundMe account has been set up; to date, the GoFundMe account has raised more than $50,000.

PHOTOS: (1) Cruz's daughters play Jenga with family members at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub during a fundraiser honoring their mother. (2) Market2Market made and sold nearly 300 "Rose's 116" sandwiches. Each wrapped sandwich was sealed with a picture of Rose Cruz. (3) Realtor Jen Walker spent 10 hours at Pork Barrel BBQ on Tuesday selling raffle tickets to help an Alexandria family struck by tragedy. The raffle raised over $14,000. (4, 5) Over $5,000 in gift certificates were donated by Del Ray businesses for a raffle to raise money for Rose Cruz's family. Photos courtesy of Del Ray Business Association