CINCINNATI -- The story of Ellie Richardson, a Lachey's manager who was shot in the face on Thanksgiving, immediately inspired her friends and coworkers to publicly rally on her behalf.
Bob Deck, who worked with Richardson for years, partnered with local businesses to hold a silent auction Tuesday night. All proceeds, he said, would go toward the cost of her reconstructive surgeries.
"(Other businesses) were instantly just as shocked as we were," Deck said. "They've wanted to help since the very beginning and do everything they can."
"It's just a really tragic, horrible situation, and it's great that she's recovering," added Holly Gerding.
Richardson isn't the only person in need of help after the incident, however. As bouncer Keith Anderson tried to help her in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, someone stole his Impala -- and its contents, which included his phone, keys and Christmas gifts for his four children. The car was eventually recovered, but without its keys or contents, rendering it useless.
He created a YouCaring account to recover some of what was lost, and Richardson's coworkers said she's fully in support of it.
"You won't be able to shut that down," Gerding said. "She's a fighter too. She'll just continue to fight and we'll just continue to support her and we'll just continue with our lives."
