Update June 11th 11:50am
Initially, when we started fundraising, our immediate concern was Max's funeral, and we believed we were on a very tight timeline to raise the funds, so we set a goal of $10,000 and a deadline of June 15th.
The overwhelming support of the communities touched by Max’s passing means that we have more than met that goal, in much less time than we could have ever hoped.
As we've gone forward, it has become obvious that there will be many other costs and demands for the family as a result of this terrible crash. Both Max’s brother, Alexander, and his mother, Sunny, will need care and upkeep for some time, and there may be special needs we have not yet thought of or encountered – from wheelchair and accessibility, to pet care, small and not so small things have been cropping up daily for the family to handle. While Alexander has been released, Sunny remains in the hospital.
We would like to extend our fundraising deadline through to June 23rd with the understanding that anything received above the expenses of Max’s memorial and funeral will be given to the family to assist in maintaining and caring for Alexander and Sunny’s needs.
In all honesty, it is quite possible that these costs will far exceed those of the service for Max.
Donations can be made several ways:
via PayPal to bcpetrakos@yahoo.com
via check to:
Brenda Petrakos
1055 Lincoln Blvd, #2
Santa Monica, CA 90403
via check to:
“The Max Petrakos Trust Fund”
c/o Alexandria Alamango
1214 14th Street, Unit 203
Santa Monica, CA 90404
or dropped at the Lincoln Middle School (15th and California, Santa Monica)
at the following times:
There will be a lock box at the front gate for donations
10am - 3pm Wednesday 6/13
8:30am - 3pm Monday 6/11, Tuesday 6/12
There are also several benefits and celebrations pending for Max, in addition to the actual Memorial Service, which will be at The Vineyard on Saturday, June 23rd at 6pm.
http://vcfwestside.org/
On Tuesday, June 12th, the youth open mic that Max loved, Downbeat 720, will set aside time for remembrance of Max during its regular open mic. Downbeat 720 takes place the Miles Playhouse, Lincoln and Wilshire, at 7:20pm. Youth are encouraged to sign up for the open mic, adults may attend in the audience.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/downbeat720/
On Friday, June 15th, Elena Secota will host a special Rapp Saloon, dedicated to Max. The Rapp Saloon is an all ages open mic and is free to attend. You may bring donations for the family. The Rapp is located in the Santa Monica Youth Hostel, 1436, 2nd Street, Santa Monica, 90401, sign ups begin at 8pm.
https://www.facebook.com/events/251286131652593/
Lastly, we are overwhelmed by the generosity of Rogue Machine Theatre Company, who have offered to donate a portion of the ticket sales from one performance of their current production, Where the Great Ones Run. Tucker Smallwood, who is in the cast and a member of Rogue Machine, made all of this happen out of his friendship with Brenda. The special performance will be Sunday, June 24th at 3pm. Ticket cost will be discounted from $30 to $20, and $10 from each ticket will be donated to the family.
Details and purchasing information may be found here:
http://roguemachinetheatre.com/wordpress/show-info/where-the-great-ones-run/
Please share the information on this performance as widely as you can. In addition to being one of the few small theatre companies in Los Angeles to present new and challenging works, Rogue Machine has been a partner in the spoken word community, presenting the monthly showcase Rant ‘n’ Rave and new works by Steve Connell and Sekou tha Misfit, among others. This is a very fitting tribute to Max, and we are grateful to Tucker and Rogue Machine for creating it.
We are in the process of collecting photos and video of Max for the Memorial. We would like to receive everything by this Wednesday, June 13th, if possible. You may send me photos or links to videos via email (eamato@mac.com), you may post links or photos to my page, you may request permission from me to join a Dropbox folder where you can deposit photos of video, whatever is easier for you. If you have questions, or special circumstances, please just send me a message. We will also be creating an archive of photos and videos, so even those that might not make it into the tribute for the Memorial will be available for the family for years to come.
We are, each of us, completely in awe of the response you have all shown to this crisis. You have given so much love and support in a terrible time, from mailing cookies, to making Get Well cards for Alexander to come home to, to donating, to just stepping up in ways so generous. I don’t think it’s possible to thank you all individually ever in the degree you deserve, but know that you are all in our hearts and we wish you only blessings.
As always, please share this information with all concerned.
If you feel you are missing any information it can probably be found below.
Update June 7th 13:01
Just wanted to let everyone know that the date, time, and
location have been set for Max’s Memorial Service.
Max Petrakos Memorial
Service
June 23rd
6pm
The Vineyard
The Vineyard was Max’s church and it is wonderful that they are
able to host the service.
We will get you more details soon.
We are hoping to collect Max’s work – performances, films,
art – and also great photos of him. If
you have pictures of Max, or videos, or any artwork of his, we would love to be
able to share it. Anything that you have
that can be linked or posted on his FB page would be great. Alternatively, you can email things to
me. If you’re unsure of how to post video or send
it, just contact me and I’ll walk you through it. If the photos or artwork are not digitized or
scanned, let us know and we’ll see what we can do.
The love you all have for Max is absolutely felt in your
generosity of spirit, time, and energy.
Again, many thanks.
UPDATE June 7th 12:23am
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to post an official update for you. (Scroll down to read the original post and details.)
The outpouring of support for the Petrakos family has been overwhelming. In fundraising and warmth and aid, the response has been tremendous.
For those who prefer not to use PayPal or would like an alternative way to donate, a legal trust has been set up by one of the parents at Lincoln Middle School for Max.
Checks may be made out to:
“The Max Petrakos Trust Fund”
They can be dropped off at Lincoln Middle (15th and California in Santa Monica) as follows:
There will be a lock box at the front gate for donations
10am - 3pm Wednesday 6/6 and Wednesday 6/13
8:30am - 3pm Thursday 6/7, Friday 6/8, Monday 6/11, Tuesday 6/12
or mailed:
c/o Alexandria Alamango
1214 14th Street, Unit 203,
Santa Monica, CA 90404
If anyone needs another alternative (like international payments, etc.), please message me.
Arrangements for the Memorial Service and funeral are in process, and there should be a date and information available shortly.
Zander is out of the hospital. He will have a long recovery at home with his Aunt Brenda, but he will be fine. At this time, the family is not ready for visitors, but we will let you know when they are.
Sunny is stable at this time, but no significant change.
All the offers for dogwalking and general help and bringing over food have been noted and appreciated. We will try to get this all going in the next week or so. There will definitely be a need for assistance and support over the next months, and it is great to know that the communities that love Brenda and Max and Zander and Sunny are ready to help so much.
On top of everything that has been offered and gifted, people in the community are gathering to create fundraisers. This is wonderful and we are grateful. We will keep you informed once they are solidified.
Max had begun attending Santa Monica’s Youth Open Mic Downbeat 720 and he really loved it. The next Downbeat 720 will be this Tuesday, June 12th, at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Christine Emerson Reed Park (Lincoln and Wilshire side) at 7:20pm. As part of the regular Downbeat, there will time set aside for remembrance of Max (stage name Baxter). Youth and adults are able to attend and youth may sign up for the open mic. Details may be found at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/downbeat720/
We have learned that the driver of the vehicle which struck the car Max was in has been formally charged with murder, vehicular manslaughter, and leaving the scene of an accident.
I hope this answers a lot of questions and helps in your healing processes. Marie and I and the family are doing the best we can to respond to everyone in a timely fashion, and will continue to do so. Please forgive any lapses on our parts.
As always, please feel free to share and post this information.
Thank you again!
For more information, or questions, please feel free to contact me, or Marie Lecrivain:
______________________________________________________
Dear Family, Friends and Community:
On Saturday, June 2nd, Brenda Petrakos’ nephew, Max, was killed in a car accident. The car he was traveling in with his mother and brother was hit by a drunk driver. His mother and brother are in the hospital. Max was 13 years old.
As many of you know, Brenda’s role in Max’s life went well beyond that of Aunt. This is a devastating time for her and her family. Max was beloved. He was insightful, smart, irreverent, creative – much like his Aunt. He had a sweet spirit, a curious mind, and a perhaps odd addiction to Scrubs and Sanford and Son.
As a community, we have come together before to buoy those who need it, and steer people away from rough shores. We are asking if we can do that again.
The family needs your prayers and support at this time. They are also in need of financial assistance.
A funeral for Max may cost up to $10,000. This is a burden that the family cannot bear. We are asking for donations to raise the money so that Max may have a funeral. He deserves one. We must also raise this money as quickly as we can, and have set a goal of June 15th.
Donations may be made via
PayPal to bcpetrakos@yahoo.com. For those who prefer to write a check, or drop off cash, you may do so to:
Brenda Petrakos
1055 Lincoln Blvd., #2
Santa Monica, CA 90403
For more information, or questions, please feel free to contact me, or Marie Lecrivain:
We will do our best to post information about the funeral, and the fund. We hope that you will help to share this message, as well as any future information about services for Max, with the community. Those of you with venues, if you would be kind enough to either read an announcement and share the information, or post this to your lists, it would be much appreciated.
On behalf of the family, thank you so very much for your compassion.
