Gabby Petito's family holds fundraiser for foundation in Tampa Bay area
NORTH PORT, Fla. - Nichole Schmidt only has to look down to remind herself of the loss that forever changed her own life. The tattoo on her arm says, "Let it Be." It's the same tattoo her daughter, Gabby Petito, had on her own arm.
"I think in general, in life, we need to let things be sometimes, to focus on what really matters," said Schmidt.
Since the moment she filed a missing person's report on September 11, 2021, her focus has been on Gabby. And now, more than two years since Gabby Petito's death, the Tampa Bay community came together to help raise money in her honor on Thursday.
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"Gabby was full of life. She was just fearless. She wanted to go on trips and see the world and I just envy that," Gabby's mom Nichole Schmidt said. "I really hope that Gabby inspires others to be empowered and be able to get out of a bad situation safely."
Schmidt along with the Gabby Petito Foundation teamed up with Nichole Venegas and her organization, the Just Help Out Foundation, a mental-health awareness group that she started in honor of her brother Joey who died by suicide last year.
They held joint fundraiser at Top Golf in Brandon to help raise money for both causes.
"It's overwhelming. It's unbelievable. I'm seeing so many people that I've known over the years coming to support us. It means the world to me. I'm trying not to cry," Venegas said.
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Petito's body was found near a campsite in Wyoming after an eight-day search. She had been documenting her cross-country trip on social media. After police determined the North Port woman was killed by her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, her family opened a foundation dedicated to ending domestic violence and helping families of missing persons.
"I do love to focus on the foundation work, because it helps me by knowing that we are saving lives," said Schmidt. "We're hoping that we're saving lives. We're hoping that we're spreading awareness. That's where I get my joy from every day."
Both groups sold tickets to get in and raffled off a slew of items, including autographed sports memorabilia and special experiences. Members of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and Tampa Fire Rescue were also in attendance.
Both families hope the money raised can help people who may be in situations like Gabby and Joey were and ultimately inspire people to not be afraid to speak up and ask for help.
"To see the community come together in honor of Gabby and Joey is just so heartwarming. Our message is to get the community to work together to bring more awareness to these issues," Schmidt said.
More than 200 people made it to Thursday night's event.