Forks Restaurant Raises Money for Family of Murdered Man

prides itself on good food.

But owners of the Italian restaurant in Forks Township also take great pride in giving back to the community.

On Monday night, the popular eatery on Sullivan Trail held a fundraiser for the family of a in hopes that his children will be able to live a little more comfortably.

Funds are being raised for an addition to be built on the home of Mark Werkheiser's sister. His four children are living in the sister's home. She has three children of her own.

After a server mentioned the murder and fundraising effort, De Lorenzo's owner, Cheryl Yannuzzelli, sprang into action.

She agreed to donate 25 percent of its sales Monday to the family. The restaurant also was offering a raffle of a $100 gift card to anyone who made a donation.

"We always do Donate Nights and normally give 10 percent," she said. "But this one had a little more importance. Everyone feels for the kids. Everyone hopes they have a comfortable, close to everyday normal life."

The restaurant put up posters showing a picture of Werkheiser and some words of encouragement for donations. The wait staff was also wearing gray T-shirts that said "Mark's Voice" in tribute to fundraising efforts.

"If we as a community can help with some practical needs, it will hopefully allow the family to focus on the emotional healing," the poster states.

Werkheiser, 38, was shot six times on the morning of March 15. Authorities have charged his former partner and mother of their children, Elizabeth Collazo, in the killing.

Yannuzzelli said that the restaurant will help local efforts by donating proceeds for diabetes, high school lacrosse and field hockey, cancer walks and even a golf tournament, with hundreds to thousands of dollars raised.

With more than 70 reservations Monday night, Yannuzzelli hoped the fundraiser could generate somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,000 to $1,500.

"It depends on the turnout and what people order," she said.

The event is one of several fundraisers to help Werkheiser's four children.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries will donate 100 percent of all profits from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. April 26 at all three Lehigh Valley locations, including its Lower Nazareth location.

Yannuzzelli said she is glad to be a participant in the fundraiser.

"It's part of why we're successful," she said. "People appreciate you. I wish we were bigger and could do more. But hopefully everyone can step up."