In the shadow of a somber Christmas memory, the Ferguson community and local motorcycle clubs are coming together to aid the children of Ashley Hogan, a mother of five tragically struck and killed by a train on Christmas Eve. According to KSDK, Hogan lost her life in a devastating accident after her car became stuck on train tracks in Berkeley while she was on her way back from work.
Officer Andrae Spraggins of the Ferguson Police Department, who knew Hogan since high school, has spearheaded a donation drive that, together with the efforts of online fundraising, has collected over $58,000 for the bereaved family; alongside, motorcycle clubs contributed $1,600 and bolstered the community support with their annual Polar Bear Ride on New Year's Day, STL Today reported.
Emphasizing the connection between the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of St. Louis's philanthropic mission and their support for Hogan's family, member Darren Lee said, "We do scholarships, and we do community service, that’s one of our main things and, and community service is basically part of the reason that we’re here today," as he described the group's participation in the supportive efforts in a KSDK interview.
The outpouring of support is not confined to financial contributions as the community and Ferguson police are also collecting clothing and other donations, which can be dropped off at the Ferguson Police Department until next Saturday, the collective response, a heartening testament to a community's resilience and camaraderie in the aftermath of tragedy; the department is located at 222 S Florissant Road in Ferguson, First Alert 4 mentioned.
