Sold-out benefit for Waukesha parade victims held at Milwaukee's 3rd St. Market Hall

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A sold-out crowd came together Wednesday night, Dec. 22, to try to bring Christmas cheer to families left heartbroken after a driver plowed into crowds at the Waukesha Christmas parade.

It's one of the largest fundraisers for Waukesha families yet. 

Three-hundred tickets at $100 a piece.

The event held in this historic venue likely doesn't look familiar. It's the former Grand Avenue Mall, all redone. 

"It really just has been heartwarming. The people we've met with, they've been so gracious, so appreciative of everything the community has been doing to support them," said Shelli Marquardt, Waukesha County Community Foundation president.

The charity event drew familiar faces like former Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy. 

"You know I kind of felt a personal connection to what happened here," said Lucroy.

Lucroy got married in Waukesha and his daughter was born there. He flew in for the 3rd St. Market Hall fundraiser.

"Look, I mean let's try to rally around this community here. Let's try to rally around the families that are hurting, that are struggling, and make changes and try to help them. I mean that's what life's all about. It's almost Christmas, it's a time for giving," said Lucroy.

3rd St. Market Hall's been three years in the works. It's expected to officially open next month, but guests Wednesday night received a sneak peek. 

"So this will be our first exposure to the public. So we have eleven food vendors that are eventually going to be at the market hall that will be offering samples of their food," said Eric Kaye, general manager of 3rd St. Market Hall. 

There were tasty treats from pizza, nachos and meat to wine and cocktails. The bar and games are also part of Milwaukee's newest entertainment destination. But this was all about Waukesha. 

"It's a really awesome event. I do hate like what happened, and just to have this kind of support in the community I think is a really great thing," said Venisha Simpson of Milwaukee.

"I mean it's just another opportunity to bring holiday cheer during this time," said Erik Kennedy of Shorewood.