Benefit For Sgt Eric Stein At Delta’s Junction Bar & Grill
Deputy Eric Stein
Delta, Iowa- Friday evening, at the Junction Bar & Grill near Delta, had a community once again coming out to show its support for a local hero. A benefit supper, silent auction, and live auction were held to help raise money for Sgt. Stein’s daughter, Shelby, that was left behind after Stein was killed in the line of duty on April 4 of this year.
Darian Graff was one of eleven on the committee to help organize the evenings benefit. There were Ninety silent auction items, and eighty live auction items that came from charitable businesses and individuals. “They’ve just come out of the woodwork.” Graff says of those donating to the benefit; with donations coming from as far away as North Carolina.
The hogs for the dinner,along with all the other food, were donated so that every penny made during the evening will be able to go into a trust fund at the Keokuk County State Bank; the same bank that is handling the memorial fund for Sgt. Stein.
At five dollars a plate, a large crowd was expected. The 400 seat banquet hall was expected to be over flowing, so large tents with tables and chairs was set up outside to help accommodate the crowd.
Graff says that even after 2 months since that tragic day, “It’s still really hard for the family and the friends that knew him.” “It’s still hard, it’s still new.”
This is just a few of the items available at the benefit for Eric Stein
“It’s just overwhelming the amount of support” Graff said of her community and their support during this time.
“You can’t have something like that happen and not have it change the way you look at things.” Graff told of attitudes towards law enforcement since the shooting. “Something like that doesn’t happen in Sigourney. We live in the middle of a corn field, it’s not suppose to happen here.” she went on to say.
The Junction Bar & Grill also donated the space needed to host the benefit. if you have not eaten there, the food was very good and the people were most friendly. The Junction Bar & Grill is located just 17 miles East of Oskaloosa on Highway 92.
