PLAINS TWP. — The Valley with a Heart is being called upon to participate in a benefit to assist the family of the late David Sinoracki.
The Sinoracki family lost its patriarch when 14-year-old Zachary Hockenberry allegedly entered its Kingston Township home on Sept. 11, 2016. Hockenberry allegedly stabbed and killed Sinoracki, wounded his wife, Bobbi Jo, and the couple’s 17-year-old daughter, Megan.
The two younger Sinoracki children Madison, 14, and David, 11, were physically unharmed.
The Benefit for the Family of David Sinoracki, scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday at the River Grille, 670 N. River Road, will aid the family with household, funeral and medical expenses, said Erin Cook, a family friend.
“Dave was the breadwinner,” Cook said. “Bobbi Jo has not returned to work yet.”
Musical entertainment at the event will be provided by Rick Gillette of Nowhere Slow, Rob Brown and DJ Hersh.
Lissa from 98.5 KRZ is slated to attend and assist with raffle announcements, said Erica West, manager of the River Grille.
Admission is free. A portion of proceeds from River Grille customers will be given to the family, along with donations and funds raised from a 50/50 raffle and sales of raffle baskets, West said.
Cook, who arranged the basket donations, said she received a total of 35 baskets and 35 gift cards from local businesses and individuals.
“Everyone is so generous,” she said.
Items to be raffled off include a Deluxe 35-bottle wine cellar appliance, vaping supplies and vape starter kits, Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins hockey tickets and hats plus a Misericordia University Basket of Warmth, to name a few.
“In Memory of David Sinoracki,” t-shirts may be ordered through http://tinyurl.com/hryjyqw. The t-shirts are $15 apiece, Cook said.
David Sinoracki’s friendly personality was known throughout the Back Mountain and Wyoming Valley communities.
“I worked with him briefly,” West said. “He was always so pleasant and easy going. He was always smiling and very easy to work for and talk with.”
Cook said the Sinoracki family does know about the event but she does not expect them to attend.
“They are hanging in there,” Cook said. “Megan is still healing. Bobbi Jo is still sore. Everyone is still very emotional.”
