Six years have passed since the death of Emily Willegal, a 24-year-old bartender at Rock Bottom Brewery who was victimized in a violent attack on the East Side.
Every February, the restaurant, located at 740 N. Plankinton Ave., brews Willegal Wheat and donates the proceeds from its beer tasting event and subsequent sales to The Healing Center, 611 W. National Ave., a non-profit agency offering support, advocacy and community education.
The sixth annual Willegal Wheat Tapping and Fundraiser begins at 7 p.m. Saturday. For a minimum donation of $25, guests have the opportunity to enjoy Willegal Wheat during the tasting. To date, the Brewery has raised $23,000 to support The Healing Center.
"Emily's family and friends very much want people to remember Emily for the kindness she showed people," said Maryann Clesceri, executive director of The Healing Center.
"We're very proud that they chose to take this senseless, tragic act of violence and turn it into something so positive for the community. Our organization is deeply honored to be the beneficiary of this event."
The Healing Center is affiliated with Aurora Sinai Medical Center and works closely with Aurora Sinai's Sexual Assault Treatment Center. The phone number is (866) 671-4325. The Web site is thehealingcenter.org.
