LONGVIEW, TX (KLTV) -
It was an effort to comfort a heartbroken family, as an East Texas community came together by having a fundraiser to help the family of a murder victim.
27-year-old Ronnie Gammage disappeared December 4, and his body was found later in Upshur County. Friends and neighbors gathered at Fast Freddie's in Longview to do anything they could to help the Gammage family.
"He was a really sweet person, couldn't really know a better friend," said Ronnie's friend Polly Dolliver.
With auctions and donations, they hope to ease the family's financial burden for Ronnie's funeral.
"Since it was such a horrific event and it happened in our neighborhood and our own backyard I felt like we needed to make this big for the community to help everybody heal from what we have dealt with," said event organizer Daniel Morris.
"His family really needs a lot of support right now, its a horrible thing and we just wanted to show our appreciation for Ron and his friendship," said family friend Reagan Hall.
Many came to support Ronnie's mother, Frankie, who has agonized over his disappearance and loss.
"Her sorrow - we felt it in our hearts, we felt we needed to be here for her," Dolliver said.
For some, it's their final message to Ronnie.
"I think this is our way of saying thank you and we miss you. It broke my heart. I started crying. He was a very sweet, gentle person. Why would anyone do that to someone that sweet?" Hall said.
Organizers hope to raise around $7,000 dollars for the family.
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