Strongsville Schools to Benefit from Cracker Barrel Donations

Strongsville Schools stand to gain thousands of dollars from two donations from the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Brooklyn -- the place where all four members of the Allen family were shot April 12.

On Monday, country star Josh Turner performed on the front porch of the restaurant, with all proceeds to be given to Strongsville schools.

And on Monday, June 11, the restaurant will donate 100 percent of its sales, not counting tips and taxes, to the district in memory of Kerri and Kayla Allen, who were students at Chapman Elementary.

School officials said they don't know yet how much money Turner's concert raised on Monday.

But Treasurer Bill Parkinson said that when the donations are made, they money will go into a special fund "so people will be able to see what it's used for."

"I don't want to mix it into the general fund," Parkinson said. "This way, it will be very easy for people to see where it eventually goes." 

On April 12, and opened fire on his wife, Kate, and daughters. Kerri and Kayla fled to a restroom, where Kerri was shot in the stomach. She and Kate died at the scene.

Kayla, 10, who was shot in the face, . 

Kevin Allen was shot and killed by police as he exited the restaurant after he refused to put down the shotgun. 

Cracker Barrel, 5100 Tiedeman Rd., will be open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 11. 

"Cracker Barrel cares about this community and we are here to stay," Cracker Barrel General Manager Patricia Shawley said in a news release. "We think the best way to provide support that will touch the greatest number of families in the community and honor the Allen family is to support Strongsville City Schools, where Kayla and Kerri were students."