Del Ray Businesses To Host Dec. 13 Fundraiser For Market2Market’s Rose Cruz

“Rally for Rose” Fundraiser To Benefit Cruz’s Two Young Daughters

As the Del Ray community mourns the loss of a beloved restaurant employee, friend, neighbor, and mother of four, the Del Ray Business Association announced that it will host a major fundraiser for the family of  Rosemarie Cruz on Tue., Dec. 13.

Cruz, 49, passed away on Dec. 4 from injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Mt. Vernon Avenue at W. Glebe Road.

During the “Rally for Rose” fundraiser on Tue., Dec. 13 from 5 pm to 9 pm, restaurants on the St. Elmo’s block of Mt. Vernon Avenue — Market2Market, St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, The Dairy Godmother, Holy Cow, and Pork Barrel BBQ — will offer special menu items for a $20 donation; all proceeds from that menu will go to the fund for Cruz’s young daughters.  In addition, a number of Del Ray businesses have donated gift certificates for a raffle to be held during the event.

“She brought so much love to all of us, her family,  our staff, our customers, the whole community,” said Larry Ponzi, the owner of Market2Market, St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, and Cafe Pizzaiolo.  “This is what we can do for her now — raise money for these kids, for her family.”  Cruz was the deli manager at Market2Market.

“Rose was a positive force in our community, this tragedy leaves a painful wound,” said Del Ray Business Association President Bill Blackburn, of Pork Barrel BBQ.  “It’s time to rally and show support for her family.”

Cruz lived in Alexandria with her husband, Romy Sarangay, and their 10-year-old and 12-year-old daughters.  She also has a 26-year-old daughter and a 19-year-old son in the Phillippines.  For those who want to support the family but cannot make it to the fundraiser, a GoFundMe account has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/family-of-rose-cruz

Market2Market is located at 116 E. Del Ray Avenue; St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, The Dairy Godmother, Holy Cow, and Pork Barrel BBQ are located on the adjacent 2300 block of Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria.  For more information on the fundraiser, visit www.visitdelray.com.