A special benefit to celebrate the life of 5-year-old Brandy Wood, of Fulton, will be held Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Callaway County Fairgrounds.
"It's unbelievable the amount of support her family is getting," Barb DeVille, a family friend and one of the organizers of the benefit said. "Fulton really comes together when someone needs something, and I've been impressed with that. People from out of town are contacting me about what they can do to help - what they can do, what they can send, what they can donate, how they can help with plans."
The highlight of the benefit will be one of Brandy's favorite events to watch: a burnout competition.
"Brandy loved watching burnouts," DeVille said. "It was her big thing."
DeVille said she wanted to the cars and bikes in the competition to specifically feature lime green colored exhaust or burnout smoke because it was Brandy's favorite color.
DeVille said the suggested donation for each car and bike that enters the show is $10.
She also said the benefit will hold a raffle with donation items - a Mossberg 12 gauge pump, 6 shot, with a 3 inch chamber; a NAPA 3.5 ton special edition "We Believe In Hero's" floor jack; and a NAPA Die Cast 1925 Mack AC Chaindrive Dry Goods Van. Raffle tickets are available at Pro Muffler, Fulton NAPA and Wyman Enterprise. Raffle tickets are $5 each or six for $20. Winners do not have to be present to claim prices.
In addition, DeVille said several NASCAR memorabilia items will be auctioned off during an afternoon silent auction, including collectible race cars, driver cards, winner's circle gallery series collectibles, driver figures, framed photos and more. DeVille said photos of most of the auction items can be viewed on the Brandy Wood Benefit Facebook page.
A sample of other auction items include a photography session by Caitlin McGrath Photography, an extreme coupon basket compiled by extreme couponers, jewelery, a guitar autographed by Chris Cagle and a design your own truck window perf.
DeVille said donated auction items are still flooding in.
"We have so many items, we can't list them all," she said.
Concessions will be available for purchase at the fairgrounds. No alcohol will be sold but coolers will be permitted on site.
The benefit will also feature a 50/50 drawing, children's face painting, and live entertainment from Silver Wings Band.
The Fulton Jaycees donated the use of the fairgrounds for the benefit. DeVille, who's with the Fulton Jaycees, appreciated the donation and support she received from the group.
"It was a major plus," she said. "We would've had to spend $400."
All proceeds raised from the benefit will help cover the cost of the funeral arrangements with extra proceeds to count toward a college fund for Brandy's 3-year-old sister Peyton.
Brandy was struck by a car on a private drive near Auxvasse on September 25 and was pronounced dead at the scene. DeVille said Will Wood, Brandy's uncle, called her on the Friday after the accident and told her that he needed her help organizing a benefit that help pay for the funeral service.
"She was a sweet little angel," DeVille said. "We just want to show off neat cars and bikes and help raise money for a family that experienced a real tragedy," DeVille said.
DeVille requested that attendees consider wearing bright lime green clothing, such as a shirt or ribbon, in honor of Brandy.