ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Students, teachers and parents from Lindbergh Schools are pouring Kool-Aid to shower an eighth grader with love following the loss of his parents and brother last week.
Paul Eckhoff and his son Colin died in a single-car crash on the 9600 block of Bent Pine Drive in Sappington last Monday. Investigators said Paul Eckhoff was driving on Gravois Road when his vehicle left the road and hit an apartment building.
The following day, Tonia Eckhoff — Paul's wife and Colin's mother — died.
They left behind a surviving son, Charlie.
Shortly after the tragedy, Dawn Marglous came up with “Kool-Aid for Colin” to raise donations and love for Charlie.
“The community is very open to helping during times like this,” Marglous said. “If this happened to my family, I would want the community to help my family. That’s exactly what we do in the Lindbergh family, we help each other.”
Local stores donated the drinks and cups and restaurants fed volunteers, most of whom have a personal connection with the Eckhoff family.
"Because his older brother is in my grade, so I wanted to make sure I could help," said one young volunteer.
Mental Health Consultant Richelle Shorter said love and care is the best thing for Charlie.
“Grief is going to look different in each person,” Shorter said. “So holding him in that space and meeting him where it is. Supporting him, love, encouragement and making sure he's not alone.”
The money raised Tuesday will go toward supporting Charlie in the future. Those interested in donating can find more ways to support Charlie online here.