Latest news with #Townsley
CBS News
25-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
North Bay community rallies beyond donations to help others heal after Archie High students killed in crash
North Bay community rallies beyond donations to help others heal after crash killed 4 students North Bay community rallies beyond donations to help others heal after crash killed 4 students North Bay community rallies beyond donations to help others heal after crash killed 4 students SAN ANSELMO — When Pat Townsley heard of the tragic crash that took the lives of four Marin County high school students, he immediately channeled his restaurant's website into an informational hub for his community. "I did this as a knee-jerk reaction, just to get these resources out there because I knew I could," Townsley said. He wanted families of the victims and anyone willing to help to have access to an easy one-stop shop website. Many have donated meals, venues for memorial services, and more through his site. "Here's a new message: 'I am gifting trauma therapy. How can I help?' " Townsley said. Reading hundreds of heartfelt messages of hope and sadness, reflecting on his own children who went to Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo, and attending the vigil, have been part of an emotional week. "I didn't say a word. I just kept my head down and just listened, grieved, and heard the tears and their stories. It was absolutely heartbreaking," Townsley said. The bar at Creekside Pizza & Taproom has become his office to continuously update and provide links offering help. Leslie Matteuci, a Reiki master, found other volunteers and therapists through Townsley's website. "I would not have known where to go, despite feeling really called to help. I wouldn't have known where to show up or who to contact," Matteuci said. Sally Newson helped coordinate volunteers to gather at Camp Arequipa in Fairfax to provide a safe space for students in need of healing. "We have had over 60 volunteers, people from the community reaching out, asking, 'What can I do to help?' " Newson said, "I saw the GoFundMe sites. I can't provide support financially, but I thought I could provide support in this way," Aida Lopez said. One woman whose brother attended Archie Williams and was involved in a similar wreck years ago came to the grief support drop-in program. "I just wanted to come out and help in any way I can with the kids and just be there for them," she said. "Even if we didn't know the girls directly, or know their families directly. You can feel it, the grief and the loss in this town," Matteuci said. For Townsley, the work to inform and connect others continues. "I hope more people are able to come here and use this as a resource as we find out what events will be coming up how we can further support the families and the students of the school," Townsley said. It's not a new endeavor for Townsley to bring his neighbors together, but this is a tragedy he could never have imagined. He's doing his part to help. The restaurant is not organizing any of the GoFundMe efforts but has links to them on its website, including one that will be dispersed to all victims' families.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
San Anselmo restaurant helps families of 4 teen girls who died in Marin County crash
SAN ANSELMO, Calif. - A restaurant in San Anselmo has been helping to raise funds to help the families in Marin County, whose daughters died and were injured in a deadly crash near Fairfax. Creekside Pizza and taproom has been maintaining a website with updates about the crash, including links to GoFundMe platforms for the victim's families. Pat Townsley, the owner, told KTVU on Wednesday that he felt the need to put together the website the day after the crash on Friday at 7:30 p.m. on San Geronimo Valley Road. Four girls, between the ages of 14 and 16, were killed. The driver and another passenger went to the hospital. One of those girls, Marley Barclay, was released from the hospital on Wednesday. Marley's mother told KTVU that according to her daughter, another car veered across the lanes, causing the 16-year-old driver to swerve and crash. The California Highway Patrol has not concluded what caused the crash at this point. "We are such a tight-knit community here in town," Townsley said. "And we have the resources here at creekside to be kind of the community epicenter for news and things that are going on in town." Townsley said he felt it "incumbent upon us to kind of take the lead on this and the resources are all there for the community. I wanted to help out for these devastated families that will never recover from this tragedy here in San Anselmo." The restaurant is also coordinating meal donations for all the victim's families, so that they don't have to worry about cooking during their time of grief. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED: The fundraisers and meal trains are here.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brown & Brown buys Irvine Commercial Insurance
Brown & Brown (Europe) has acquired Irvine Commercial Insurance Brokers, a Kenilworth, UK-based company known for its specialised insurance broking services to local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, and the acquisition has received the necessary regulatory approvals. Irvine was founded in the early 2000s by directors John Townsley and Matthew Finch. It offers insurance products including motor fleet, commercial combined, combined liability and contractors all risks across the Midlands region. Commenting on the deal, Townsley said: 'We are excited to join forces with Brown & Brown Retail Lutterworth, which will allow us to leverage the group's extensive resources and capabilities, enabling us to provide even greater value to our customers while maintaining our commitment to personalised service.' Finch added: 'Joining the Brown & Brown team marks a significant milestone for our company. We look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead, which will benefit both our customers and our dedicated team.' Townsley and Finch, along with their staff, will continue their operations from the current Kenilworth location. They will report to James Birrell, regional managing director at Brown & Brown Europe. Birrell stated: 'We are delighted to welcome John, Matthew and their team to Brown & Brown. Their specialisation and strong customer relationships align perfectly with our values. This acquisition strengthens our presence in the Midlands and reinforces our commitment to serving the insurance needs of SMEs in the region.' With a history dating back to 1939, Brown & Brown is an insurance brokerage with a global network of more than 500 locations and employs more than 17,000. Earlier this year, Brown & Brown appointed Stephen P. Hearn as the company's new executive vice-president and chief operating officer. "Brown & Brown buys Irvine Commercial Insurance " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
