Sunny Patel Funeral and Family Fund

Update: Binta Patel, wife of the owner of the Mr. Hero and Sunny's aunt, will be the family liaison and designated beneficiary for handling the funds. ~

On Friday, October 14, just after 8 p.m., 15-year-old Sunny Patel was murdered by an armed robber while helping his aunt and uncle at the Mr. Hero sandwich shop that they own on South Taylor Road. He was not an employee but a dutiful nephew working hard to help his family succeed. The criminal shot Sunny in the head and he passed away from his injuries just hours later. He is the only son to Ravi and Mrs. Patel of Highland Heights and a sophomore at Mayfield Heights High School. While a suspect has been apprehended in connection with this unthinkable crime, it will not return this young man to his loving family or undue the damage to the fabric of this community.

Let's take this opportunity to extend some love, compassion and assistance to the Patel family in this time of their greatest need. Let's show them that Cleveland Heights is full of honest and caring people that will not be undone by the violence of one horrible and broken man. 

Please join me in raising up this family and community by helping the Patels with their funeral expenses. The initial goal is $10,000, which is the average cost of a funeral and no small amount for any family today. At the very least, we can remove this burden from their shoulders so that they may focus on their own family in this time of profound grief.

As a member of the Cleveland Heights community and a mom to two young boys, I think it is so important for us to take this moment and reflect about how to move forward as a community. Rather than wallowing in anger, hatred and divisiveness let us become proactive. Reach out to your neighbors, near and far, and lend whatever help and love they may need. Strong neighbors make strong communities and if you don't know the people living around you, let this become the day that you do.

Let's extend our neighborly love to the Patel family as well, for as business owners they are an important piece of this community puzzle. Any amount of money that you can donate is helpful, whether it's $5, $50, $500 or $5000, and I truly believe that it is not just the amount of money that is raised but the number of people that donate that's just as important to show support from the entire Heights community - Cleveland, University, Shaker, and beyond.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you will be moved to donate today.

Sincerely,
Erin Setzer