Fundraiser set for Holiday Hills man after tragic crash

Family and friends are holding a fundraiser to help a Holiday Hills man who lost his wife and step-son in a tragic automobile crash on Friday, Dec. 27.

The fundraiser will be held at the Wool Street Grill and Sports Bar at 800 Feinberg Court in Cary on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. The event is open to all and admission is free, said family friend and organizer Tom Stromblad. There will be a donation box, silent auction and possibly a raffle to raise money for final expenses and others related to the tragedy. The event will also feature four rock bands and food, he said. All the money will go to widower Mike Ghilardi, Stromblad said.

His wife, Linda Ghilardi, set out early on Friday, Dec. 27, to take her 22-year-old son, Lawrence “Buddy” Jett, to work. They hadn’t gone far when the Jeep Cherokee Sport that Ghilardi was driving crossed the center line on River Road just south of Fernview Lane into the path of a southbound garbage truck. Both Ghilardi, 46, and Jett were pronounced dead at Centegra Hospital – McHenry shortly after the 7:30 a.m. crash.

Knowing Mike Ghilardi was struggling with the loss, Stromblad said he wanted to do some to assit his grieving friend.

"The goal is to help Mike out," he said. "I don't want to see him out on the street."