When a devastating crash struck the Stryker Sports Complex on Oct. 17, the Wichita community responded with compassion and action. Within hours, Alex Harb, owner of the Meddys restaurant chain, announced that his locations would donate a portion of sales to help the victims and their families.
Restaurant chain exceeds its fundraising goal
Meddys set an initial target of $100,000, pledging that 20% of sales from its Wichita and Salina restaurants would go directly to the families. The effort quickly surpassed that benchmark, closing at $105,000. Nadia Vanhouten, a spokesperson for Meddys, credited the surge to strong community support and the dedication of the restaurant’s staff. “Our team members were extremely involved. They showed up in a way that we were just so proud to call this team ours,” Vanhouten said. “Creating tip jars for the families, and they were just working overtime… they were really showing up to support our community in our time of need.”
Additional local businesses join the cause
Other Wichita enterprises have added to the relief effort. The Locker Room Nutrition & Energy raised more than $18,000, while Kingdom Athletics, the nonprofit designated to distribute the funds, contributed an additional $17,000 of its own resources. In total, the combined contributions exceed $122,000, a testament to the generosity of local businesses and residents.
How the money will be used
The donated funds are being transferred to Kingdom Athletics, which will allocate the money to families directly impacted by the crash. The organization has a history of supporting youth athletics and community programs, making it a trusted conduit for the relief effort.
Community response reflects Wichita’s family‑focused values
Wichita’s response underscores the city’s commitment to caring for families in times of crisis. By turning everyday transactions—dining out, buying nutrition products—into acts of charity, local businesses have demonstrated how faith‑based values and traditional family support can translate into tangible help.
Looking ahead
Organizers hope the momentum will continue, encouraging other businesses to adopt similar giving models. The success of this campaign serves as a model for how private enterprises can partner with nonprofit groups to address urgent community needs without waiting for government intervention.
For families still coping with the aftermath of the Stryker crash, the outpouring of local generosity offers a measure of relief and a reminder that Wichita stands together in moments of hardship.
Original reporting: KWCH 12 (Gray) – local — read the source article.
