Business & Tech

GrillSmith Nets $8,500 For Schenecker Fund

Money will benefit the Schenecker Memorial Fund, named for two New Tampa youngsters allegedly gunned down by their troubled mother in 2011.

Colonel Parker Schenecker's children had their favorites at GrillSmith: Caribbean pumpkin bisque soup for Calyx and spicy Thai shrimp for Beau.

Hungry patrons turned out at the chain eatery during the week of Sept. 17 to enjoy these and other dishes to raise money for the Calyx and Beau Schenecker Memorial Fund, which benefits "leadership, athletic and performing arts opportunities for promising Tampa Bay-area teenagers," according to GrillSmith officials.

Money was amassed through a portion of total sales at all six area locations during a five-day stretch, including the Carrollwood location. How did they do?

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"GrillSmith was able to raise $8,500 for the Schenecker Memorial Fund!" Wendy Stewart, communications for owner Front Burner Brands, told Patch. 

This is the second year in a row the father has worked with the eatery. There are other locations in South Tampa, Clearwater/Countryside, Brandon, New Tampa, and Lakeland. 

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The story of the Schenecker family has gained nationwide media coverage. Mother Julie Schenecker stands accused of using a .38-caliber pistol to shoot her two teenage children in January of 2011 in their Tampa Palms home. Both Beau and Calyx were shot in the head and died, authorities said. 

Colonel Parker Schenecker has since divorced his wife and the court case is ongoing.

But despite the grief, the father was quite jovial when meeting with reporters about the GrillSmith fundraiser last month. He wears the name of his children around his wrists and said there are lots of good memories of going out to eat. 

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