Amy Pierson, the widow of slain Rochester Police Officer Daryl Pierson, will receive a $25,000 check tonight.
The money was collected from 85 to 90 Rochester area Asian-Indian families to support the education of Pierson's two young children, Charity and Christian.
Dr. Tarun Kothari, a gastroenterologist at Rochester General and Unity Hospitals, said local Asian-Indians appreciate the value of an education and want Officer Pierson’s children to have that advantage in life.
"Charity and Christian are going to grow up in this country without their biological father and we thought it was very important for Amy to inculcate in them the learning process and the importance of education and for them to be successful and to be on their own feet," Kothari said. “And we come from all walks of life and we have done extremely well in this community. We thought we must do something for the Pierson children, and the response was overwhelming."
The check will be presented to Amy Pierson at 6:30 tonight at Brighton Town Hall. The fundraiser was organized by the India Community Center of Rochester.