I am so sorry it has taken me this long to report on the success of the Jitka Vesel Fundraiser, but I wanted to make sure that I had all the information (including photos).

We raised $5,586.00 in all – fundraiser, pay pal donations, mailed checks and deposits directly to the bank.  We would like to thank everyone, who contributed in any way - money, time, prayers, etc., for their generosity.

With this money, Alex and his brother, Pavel, were able to travel with Jitka’s remains to the Czech Republic and lay her to rest in the family grave in her hometown cemetery.  It covered all the necessary permits and paperwork fees required by the Czech Republic as well as any transportation of human remains fees, Alex’s and Pavel’s airfares and some costs of the funeral in the Czech Republic.  The airfares were higher when they finally were able to travel with their sister’s remains because they needed to be present (as the victim’s family) in court here. 

Alex stayed in the Czech Republic longer to be with their father and to spend some time with his daughter, Karolinka.  The brothers were joined by Jitka’s partner, Jason, and his dad, as they had planned this trip with Jitka (they already had their tickets when she was murdered) to visit with her family - especially Karolinka who had been looking forward to seeing her aunt again. 

The bereaved family would like to thank everyone who had made this possible.  It provided much needed comfort during a very difficult time. 

An update on the court proceedings:

http://www.wlsam.com/Article.asp?id=2244269&spid

(I was under the impression that I had posted this after the fundraiser.  I apologize. Too many things going on the last few months.)

The benefit concert was physically tiring, emotionally draining but spiritually uplifting.  This was truly a community effort with people donating not just money but time, talents and resources. Everyone’s generosity was overwhelming.  And Jitka’s family and friends would like to thank everyone for their contributions.  It was an atmosphere of compassion, of remembering Jitka and celebrating her life.  We started out slow and mellow and ended by rocking it out.   

 

Benefit Concert 4/29/2011 

In Memory of Jitka Vesel 1974 – 2011

Jitka’s senseless death is a tragedy full of pain and loss for us that are left behind.

I have often struggled with the question, “Why would God let this happen?”  (As I am sure most of us have.)  At times I have thought that maybe it was predestination.  But it was not God nor predestination that caused this, but the free will of one young man who was (for whatever reasons) predisposed to carry out such a violent act. 

With our free will, we have the potential to choose which actions we will take.  Every choice has consequences.  Each action has a re-action.  Different choices create different consequences and the potential variations are seemingly endless. 

Jitka’s death is a lesson.  What will we choose – anger, fear or compassion, kindness?  Will we let this tragedy destroy us or will we be stronger, more compassionate, kinder? 

Jitka was a bright and shining light; we know what she would have chosen. I choose to be stronger, kinder, more compassionate.  I choose to honor her life and not her death.

I believe that by gathering today to celebrate who Jitka was, we are taking a sorrowful and abhorrent event and turning it into compassionate energy – positive and powerful. 

 Alice Vedral Rivera  4/29/2011

 

 

Someone I knew, the sister of a friend was brutally murdered last week.  She was a beautiful soul, a kind shining light touching everyone with her infectious smile.  As her partner, Jason, said at the memorial service yesterday, “You didn’t have to know Jitka for very long to fall in love with her.”  The turnout at the wake and service showed how much she was loved.

Czech heritage museum honors murdered translator. 

 

To assist the family with the necessary obligations surrounding such a sudden tragic loss:

A Benefit Concert for Jitka Vesel

will be held on

Friday, April 29, 2011   at

Klas Restaurant

5734 W. Cermak Road

Cicero, IL 60804

There will be live music and food beginning at 7pm

Suggested starting donation at door - $10

For more information call 708-652-0795

For those who cannot attend but would like to donate to the Jitka Vesel Fund, an

account has been set up at PNC Bank for this purpose.   The Jitka Vesel Fund

account # 4644517329 - PNC Bank routing # 071921891.  This account will

remain open until May 16, 2011.

PayPal: donationforjitkavesel@gmail.com

Or you can send a check to The Jitka Vesel Fund c/o Klas Restaurant,

5734 W. Cermak Road, Cicero IL 60804.

On Friday, April 22^nd we mourned her death; on Friday, April 29^th we will celebrate her life.