Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund Raises $192k So Far
The family of the eight-year-old boy who was brutally murdered recently has raised $192,000 so far for the Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund, named in his honor. The family hopes to gather $1 million for needy children and families.
In the Brooklyn community where Kletzky lived, over 200 people gathered Sunday for a candlelight vigil honoring him and showing support for his family during their time of mourning.
The Hasidic Jewish family of Leiby Kletzky released a statement to express their appreciation for those who helped search for their son. The statement, titled “Together We Mourn, Together We Grow”, says, “We thank God for the nearly nine beautiful years that He entrusted us with Leiby’s pure soul. We are certain that Leiby is looking down from heaven and blessing us all.”
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The statement also reads, “We would like to once again thank all our friends and neighbors; all the selfless volunteers from near and far; local, city, state, and federal agencies; and all our fellow New Yorkers and beyond who assisted us physically, emotionally, and spiritually- as well as all of God’s children around the world who held our dear Leiby in their thoughts and prayers.”
On July 11 Leiby Kletzky was walking to meet his mother at a rendezvous point from day camp when he took a wrong turn. That mistake led him to asking 35-year-old Levi Aron for directions. Kletzky was then kidnapped, drugged, smothered, and dismembered allegedly by Aron, who has been indicted on murder and kidnapping charges. The remains of the young boy were found in two different locations nearly two days later.
The shocking tragedy has attracted the attention and sympathy of the nation. Jeffrey Stern, next-door neighbor to Aron, told New York News, “It shows we’re one. We can be Muslim, Christian, Jewish, white, black, we’re all together. It affects us all.”
Neighbors of the Kletzky family have raised money to move the family from their dilapidated apartment in Brooklyn’s Borough Park to a new residence, void of the painful memories of their lost son.
A furniture company is also donating new furniture, and another company is donating new bedding, reports have indicated.
