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Burger Chain Aids Family Of Teen Who Died In Fire

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By ELIZABETH LEE BROWN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

CARROLLWOOD - A popular burger chain restaurant is hosting a charity fundraiser on Monday to benefit the family of a Carrollwood teenager who died in a house fire.

Anyone eating at the Jake's Hamburgers locations in Lutz and Town 'N Country will have 20 percent of their bill donated to the family of Madison Marie Clermont. Organizers hope to raise up to $5,000 between the two sites.

Clermont, 16, died May 8 when a fire broke out in her bedroom in the early afternoon.

The teen suffered from cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that impairs the lungs and digestive system and was found by firefighters lying beneath a pile of clothes near a dresser.

Hillsborough County fire officials are investigating the cause of the blaze.

Jake's Hamburgers is hosting the event because Clermont's brother, Jarik, works as a delivery coordinator at the Lutz location.

Store manager Robert Snyder said he would often see Madison and her parents eating at the restaurant.

He said the restaurant closed on Mother's Day so employees could attend the services.

Workers have pooled together several hundred dollars for the family, but Snyder wanted to do more.

Snyder said proceeds likely will defray funeral costs and be donated to charitable causes, but the family is "going to guide us on where the money is going to go."

The majority of the charity events will be in the parking lot of the Lutz location. Businesses from within the Van Dyke Commons plaza have donated gift certificates for a drawing.

Snyder also has lined up a band, and WDAE, 620 AM radio sports talk host Steve Duemig is scheduled to broadcast from 3 to 7 p.m. from the event.

"When it happened, it just devastated the family," he said.

Monday's charity event "kind of helps the community come together a little bit," Snyder said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Charity fundraiser to benefit the family of Madison Clermont

WHERE: Jake's Hamburgers, 17695 N. Dale Mabry Highway and 3858 W. Waters Ave.

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday

CONTACT: Store manager Robert Snyder, (813) 265-8888

Reporter Elizabeth Lee Brown can be reached at (813) 865-1502 or ebrown@tampatrib.com.

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