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Fundraiser To Benefit Students' Families

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By GEOFF FOX

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 9, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - Tijuana Flats is hosting a fundraiser Saturday afternoon to benefit the families of two Wesley Chapel High School students killed in a crash Monday.

One of the girls, Kristin Gaskin, 17, of San Antonio, worked as a cashier and trainer at the State Road 56 restaurant for about a year. She was the passenger in a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Tabitha Pastrana, 18, of Wesley Chapel. The northbound vehicle crashed on Interstate 75 about 1 p.m.

Saturday's event is being organized by Ruby Houg, who used to work with Pastrana at the Kids R Kids Learning Center in Wesley Chapel.

"I have two kids of my own, and I'd hate to have to bury my own," Houg said. "We're asking for as many donations as possible."

The event, scheduled from noon to 6 p.m., will feature children's activities such as a bounce house, face-painting and a balloon artist. Tijuana Flats also is donating a portion of its sales for the day.

Houg, who has enlisted the help of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, Wesley Chapel High School, Victorious Life Church and area businesses, said she was inspired by "Oprah's Big Give," the eight-episode television series where 10 people are challenged to help down-and-out strangers.

Just In Queso, a nonprofit associated with Tijuana Flats, is donating $5,000 to Gaskin's family and is naming a scholarship after her, said Steve Fischer, general manager at Tijuana Flats.

Fischer said he got worried Monday afternoon when Gaskin was late for her shift. He said she was always punctual and had called in sick only once.

"She was very bubbly, just had a young innocence about her," he said. "She had a lot of friends. The day this happened, my whole staff was just devastated. It was very shocking to all of us. She didn't have a mean bone in her body. She just got along with everybody.

"It's almost like losing one of your own. It really hurts."
Houg said Pastrana lived with her younger brother and sister and their adoptive parents, who are elderly. She said Pastrana's sister has lupus and that the family is now down to one vehicle, an old van with "lots of problems" they use to drive her to the hospital.

"I'm trying to get them a new van," Houg said.

Monday's crash is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. Pastrana, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene, north of State Road 54. Gaskin, who was wearing a seat belt, was flown to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, where she died.

Andy Frelick, principal at Wesley Chapel High, said both girls were popular and that the student body was "in shock" over the deaths. Grief counselors were at the school Tuesday.

"We're wondering why it keeps happening," he said, referring to several serious and fatal crashes involving Wesley Chapel High students in the past couple of years.

The number of wrecks inspired school officials to offer additional driver-safety programs through the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Today, a previously scheduled "Prom Promise" program will be held at the school to reinforce messages about safe driving and the perils of drinking and driving, Frelick said.

"We're going to keep reminding the kids," he said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Fundraiser for the families of Wesley Chapel High School students Kristin Gaskin and Tabitha Pastrana, who died in an Interstate 75 crash Monday

WHERE: Tijuana Flats, 27709 State Road 56, in front of Sam's Club

WHEN: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday

INFORMATION: Call Ruby Houg at (949) 254-5102 or Tijuana Flats at (813) 994-9010.

TO HELP

Checks can be sent to Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel FL 33545. Checks can be made out to the school. In the memo section, indicate that the money is for the "Tabitha and Kristin Memorial Fund." Any money received will go to their families.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or gfox@tampatrib.com.

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