SOAP LAKE - Soap Lake residents gathered on Saturday evening to support the family of Christian and Aschlie Schuermann, a local father and his teenage daughter who died in a car crash on Jan. 26.

Lynn Darling, owner of the Desert Diner, organized the dinner soon after she heard about the fatal collision. The Desert Diner has hosted benefit meals before, Darling said, and she felt this was an important cause due to the Schuermanns' connection to so many in Soap Lake.

"He was an old friend," Darling said of Christian Schuermann. "A lot of people knew his grandmother because she worked as a massage lady here in Soap Lake. Their family is well-known here, so we've seen a lot of community support."

The Desert Diner offered spaghetti, salad and bread from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, with the $6.50 price per plate going to help the Schuermann family. The cash register was operated for the night by Christian's wife, Adell, who graciously accepted condolences from friends and community members.

Darling had not finished tallying donations by press time Sunday, but she said that the total contribution to the Schuermann family reached about $1,500.

Fire District 7 Chief Kirk Sheppard was in attendance at the benefit dinner, as were several officers in his department.

"Some people had to work tonight," Sheppard said, "but most of us wanted to come out and show our support for this family. So far, it seems like it's a very good showing."

Darling agreed that the turnout was high.

"It's only 4:30 and already we've got a packed house," she said. "It just goes to show that when people need help, you just step up and do what needs doing."