Derby Girls Plan Fundraiser For Shimek Kids

Members of the South County Derby Girls are throwing a fundraiser on December 11 to raise money for the Shimek children.

Derby member Lisa Wharton said the group decided to have the event in honor of Lynn Shimek, the victim of Sunday's murder-suicide, and her two sons.

“It started out that it was going to be our Christmas party, and with recent events I thought the team should change our focus to raise money for Lynn’s kids,” Wharton said. “We wanted to do something for them.”

Wharton said that Lynn joined the Derby Girls with her best friend, Tammy, about a year ago, and that she was one of the sweetest people on their team.

“Even if Lynn couldn’t commit to a bout, she would go to our event and support us," Wharton said.

"She was supposed to go to our Christmas party. She was a 'maybe' on the Facebook page—it makes us want to cry every time we go there and see it.”

Wharton also said that Lynn did body art for the team, and that she was an amazing face painter.

“When most people think of face painting, they think of balloons and hearts, but the stuff she did was great," Wharton said. "She was very talented and was willing to share her talents with us.”

The fundraiser will be held at Dutchman’s Pizza, and the owner, Jim Shuster, said he'll be donating 25 percent of the day's food sales to the Shimek kids.

“I know the Derby Girls, a lot of them are customers, so this has hit close to home. We just feel bad about what the boys are going through, as well as their family,” Shuster said.

“We didn’t know Lynn well, but she’s been in Dutchman’s before. Our customers are like our family, so when we lose one we feel like we want to give back—to give to the family somehow—and in this case money is definitely going to help."

The Derby Girls will also be donating 100 percent of the money they raise through raffle tickets, Wharton said.

However, the event isn't being held solely for fundraising. It's also being used as a platform to educate attendees about domestic violence prevention.

“[We’re doing this] to bring awareness to what domestic violence is, because I think a lot of people don't realize it comes in so many forms. It can be verbal, it can be physical. Domestic violence doesn’t come in one category specifically,” Wharton said.

“We’re going to have info, and resources that are available to not only help someone who’s a victim of domestic violence, but we'll have info on how to prevent it. There will be info for victims to reach out to someone.”

Wharton said she hopes proceeds from the event will double the $2,000 that the group typically brings in with fundraisers—and they may be well on their way.

By Tuesday afternoon, 192 people had accepted the invitation to attend the event, according to the South County Derby Girls Stand Against Domestic Violence Facebook page.

Wharton also said the group has received a lot of support from neighboring Derby leagues in Morgan Hill, Hollister, San Jose, Monterey, Santa Cruz and Fresno, among others.  

“It’s getting a good response. We have a lot of people stepping forward to donate raffle prizes and a lot of people are coming out of the community to support it,” Wharton said.

As part of the Domestic Violence Awareness Project, the Derby girls are asking people to wear purple to the ceremony on Saturday, where the team will also be handing out purple balloons and ribbons.

Those interested in donating money or raffle prizes can contact the Derby girls on their Facebook page.

A trust fund has also been setup by the Shimek children's aunt, Valerie Roberts. Those interested in donating can make checks payable to "Shimek Children Memorial Fund" c/o Valerie Roberts, 1821 South Bascom Ave., PO Box 217 Campbell, CA 95008.

What: South County Derby Girls Stand Against Domestic Violence fundraiser  

When: Dec. 11, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Dutchman’s Pizza, 6940 Chestnut St.

Raffle prizes currently include:

• Honu Bootcamp from Benae Basurto
• Little Honu Swim School
• Movie night basket from Lori Coleman
• Christmas basket from Rebecca Merill Spencer
• Homemade cresent rolls from Ann Holdaway
• Oral-B Pro Series Power Toothbrush
• Garlic World Basket
• Starbucks Gift Basket
• Pottery
• Record bowls from Kathleen Smith
• Ticket Package from 9Lives Club
• Perfume Package-Jenee Wharton