Story Published:
Nov 21, 2009 at 11:40 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Nov 21, 2009 at 11:46 PM CDT
Saturday night, a Springfield restaurant and their patrons gave back to a teenager and her family. We've been following the story of 16 year old Kimberly Armstrong, who was hit by a car on West Kearney Street in September. Anyone who ate at the Ziggie's on West Kearney, only a few blocks down from where Kimmy's accident happened, was helping the Armstrong family.
The staff at Ziggie's, their Saturday night diners, and even the driver of the car that hit Kimberly Armstrong all came together in her support.
"Tomorrow will be two months to the date that it happened, and know that two months ago, we didn't know if she was going to be able to walk again, or even live, now she's up and running around and helping people get sat down- it's awesome," says Scott Harper, who was driving the car that hit Kimberly on September 22nd.
Kimmy spent the night telling her story to strangers and playing hostess to all her supporters. Her family is thankful for her recovery and all those behind acts of kindness like this. "I'd just like to thank everybody for the support that we've gotten to this point," says her father, Bill Armstrong.
But Ziggie's and the community are helping them get a head start, donating ten percent of Saturday night's proceeds, plus tips. "She just came up with this idea on her own and said, she'd really like to do this for Kimberly," says Armstrong about Ziggie's manager Victoria Marshell.
"I didn't think it would be this big, but it's awesome, and it's so great that people know and want to help her, because she's so sweet and deserves to be recognized for what she's been through," says Marshell.
Besides raising money for the family, they hope it will raise awareness.
"It's something that's been a problem for a long time, and nobody knows until something traumatic happens like this," says Marshell.
"I just hope we can all get behind the kids and get them to school safe after this is all said and done," says Armstrong.
Kimmy's accident happened while she was crossing Kearney at Broadway. Her family and others we spoke with hope there will be improvements such as better signs, lights, more crosswalks, and even bussing more kids to school.
Ziggies tells KY3 they doubled their usual business for a Saturday night.